The Pittsburgh Steelers’ longstanding Head Coach Mike Tomlin has done a lot of good for the organization. He’s helped them win a Super Bowl and has also kept the Steelers competitive every season he’s been in charge. In 18 seasons, Tomlin has never had a losing season. However, that hasn’t shielded him from criticism, especially after another frustrating end to the season.
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Network
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson speaks to members of the media at the team's facility.
One of the NFL’s most innovative offensive minds, Ben Johnson, has been making waves recently. As the Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator, Johnson turned the Lions into an explosive unit, leading to his rise as a sought-after head coaching candidate. After the Lions' playoff exit, Johnson accepted the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears.
Known for his creative play designs and ability to adapt to modern offensive schemes, Johnson is widely regarded as the type of coach who embodies the NFL’s offensive evolution—something Steelers fans desperately wish Tomlin would embrace.
Tomlin seems to still be overly focused on the defense and even that hasn't been super fruitful for the Steelers. During his introductory press conference, Johnson made remarks that many believe indirectly challenged Tomlin’s approach.
"Modern football in the NFL is quarterback driven," Johnson said. "That is no secret. You can look at the analytics right now. Quarterback success is a higher predictor of winning and losing than turnover ratio which it has been for 20+ years. Ok, that has changed."
Johnson emphasized the importance of tailoring schemes to maximize offensive potential, highlighting how a team’s success hinges on embracing innovation and adaptability. His comments resonated with fans who feel the Steelers’ offense has stagnated under Tomlin’s leadership.
While Tomlin’s consistency and defensive expertise are undeniable, Johnson’s philosophy serves as a pointed reminder that modern offenses win championships—a reality the Steelers can no longer afford to ignore.
AP Photo / Orlin Wagner
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid embrace one another on the field prior to a professional football game in Kansas City.
Steelers fans have grown weary of postseason disappointment, as Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Many argue that his reliance on a defensive-first philosophy has left the team stuck in the past, unable to keep pace with the league’s evolving offensive trends.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gets Exposed By Bears' Ben Johnson
After nearly every loss, Tomlin emphasized the same point: turnovers. It was always about losing the turnover battle. What’s fascinating is how this perspective contrasts with two highly coveted coaches’ philosophies. While Tomlin continues to stress defense and turnovers as the key to success, Johnson is preaching the importance of offensive innovation. The truth, of course, lies somewhere in between—but in today’s NFL, both are essential, and success is never guaranteed.
Tomlin blamed the turnovers after the Steelers were destroyed at home on Christmas Day by the Kansas City Chiefs losing 29-10.
"That sucked, to be blunt," Tomlin said after the loss to the Chiefs in the 2024 season. "Not the type of ball we want to play, and really kind of eerily similar to our last performance in that we're not doing the fundamental things well enough. We're turning the ball over. We're not getting turnovers. That hasn't been a recipe for us, but it has been of late. Minus-2 or whatever we were in this game, you're not giving yourself a chance, particularly turning the ball over in the red zone."
The frustrating part of this quote for Steelers fans is Tomlin’s continued emphasis on turnovers. Yes, the Steelers turned the ball over more than the Chiefs and didn’t force enough takeaways. But even without the turnovers, it’s hard to argue the Steelers would have won the game. The real problems go much deeper than that.
The offense came out slow, fell behind early, and failed to adjust. That simply can’t happen. The offensive scheme didn’t work, and the defense struggled to keep the game within reach. These are the issues Steelers fans want addressed—not the overly simplistic focus on the turnover battle. While turnovers matter, they’re just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
The bigger concern is that the Steelers’ offense has become predictable and ineffective. The schemes they’ve tried to implement haven’t worked, and the results speak for themselves. Fans are desperate for accountability and a willingness to evolve, not recycled talking points about turnovers.
Johnson’s remarks during his introductory press conference with the Bears serve as a stark reminder of how far the Steelers have fallen behind in an ever-evolving league.
If Tomlin still believes the team is losing big games simply because they’re not winning the turnover battle, it might indicate he’s out of step with the modern NFL. It’s no longer just about defensive grit; in a league defined by quarterback talent and high-powered offenses, the Steelers’ lack of a true offensive identity is glaring.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Justin Fields runs with the football during Week 12 against the Cleveland Browns.
To be clear, Johnson wasn’t taking a shot at Tomlin—he was simply stating the obvious. In today’s NFL, teams need dynamic offenses and franchise quarterbacks to compete at the highest level. The Steelers haven’t had either in years, though some hold out hope that Justin Fields could change that.
Regardless, the team must confront its offensive shortcomings and establish an identity. Even with Johnson’s success in Detroit, the Lions didn’t win a Super Bowl, proving just how competitive this league is. Steelers fans will now wait anxiously to see if their team can catch up and what the future holds for their quarterback position.
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