Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is as untouchable as they come in the NFL when it comes to job security. It feels like nothing Tomlin does would ever get him fired. Tomlin has been the head coach of the Steelers for 18 seasons, and he has never had a losing season. Still, this isn’t enough for Steelers fans who want to compete for Super Bowls and not just above-average regular seasons. Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and that drought has caused a lot of frustration from the fan base about him. They feel like Tomlin is stuck in his own ways.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during the 2025 Senior Bowl.
While Tomlin continues to be respected around the league, Steelers fans are growing tired of the lack of postseason success. His ability to keep the team competitive is appreciated, but the Steelers' struggles in big games and early playoff exits have only fueled the belief that he is holding the team back. Many fans feel that Tomlin’s unwillingness to make major changes, whether in his coaching staff or overall philosophy, has prevented Pittsburgh from taking the next step. Regular-season success is no longer enough to satisfy a fan base that expects championships.
A new study from the Action Network reveals that Tomlin was the most overrated NFL coach of the 2024 season, according to social media sentiment. The study highlights just how frustrated Steelers fans have become, with many believing Tomlin’s reputation outweighs his recent results. While his job security remains intact, the perception of him as an elite coach is starting to shift. If Pittsburgh once again fails to make a deep playoff run, the criticism will only intensify, making it harder to ignore the growing dissatisfaction.
"The Steelers have been nothing if not consistent over the past several years, but after yet another early playoffs exit, fans are starting to lose their patience with Head Coach Mike Tomlin," Alicia Grimes said. "Pressure has mounted on Tomlin for the last few seasons to make changes to the team that could make them believable title contenders, yet they still can’t seem to find the momentum they need. According to our data, 3,120 fans have made their feelings known on social media, making Tomlin the head coach most likely to be described as overrated."
This news isn’t all that surprising, as Steelers fans are often regarded as the most passionate in the NFL. It makes sense that they would be the most vocal in the debate, calling Tomlin overrated. While opinions on Tomlin’s coaching ability vary, one thing is undeniable—his resume has taken a significant hit in terms of postseason success over the last decade. To silence the critics and satisfy the fan base, Tomlin will need to lead the Steelers on a deep playoff run sooner rather than later.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during loss to the Bengals in the 2024 NFL season.
According to the study, Tomlin led all NFL coaches in social media mentions regarding being overrated, with 10,980 mentions tied to his name. Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald followed closely behind with 10,800 mentions, while Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton ranked third with 10,380. San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh rounded out the top five, with 7,860 and 7,720 mentions, respectively. The data reflects just how much debate surrounds Tomlin’s coaching status, as he generated more discussion than any other coach, reinforcing the growing frustration among Steelers fans.
How Steelers' Mike Tomlin Was Determined The Winner
The study was conducted using social listening data from X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to determine which NFL coaches were most frequently labeled as "overrated" during the 2024 season. Researchers tracked all posts containing the word "overrated" starting from the first week of the preseason, filtering mentions specifically tied to head coaches. These mentions were then grouped by team and ranked based on frequency, revealing which coaches generated the most debate and criticism among fans.
Benjamin B. Braun / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland.
It’s an intriguing way to analyze fan sentiment and gauge how each fan base feels about its Head Coach. The data speaks for itself, highlighting the growing frustration surrounding Tomlin and the pressure on him to turn things around for the Steelers. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Tomlin to see if he can change the narrative and lead Pittsburgh back to postseason success.
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