Mike Tomlin's Ex-Star Player Just Exposed His Draft Strategy Since 2016 And Why It's Failed

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has coached the team for 19 seasons now. Remarkably, in a league as unforgiving and hyper competitive as the NFL, Tomlin has never had a losing season, an achievement that stands out across nearly two decades of constant roster turnover, injuries, and evolving competition. That level of consistency has earned him widespread respect and protection from criticism on the national stage. However, that praise has become more complicated over time, especially considering Tomlin has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.

Throughout the 2025 season, even traditionally cautious national media voices have found it difficult to completely avoid criticizing Tomlin. The standard in Pittsburgh has always been championships, not simply finishing above .500, and the growing gap between expectations and results has become impossible to ignore. According to former Steelers star James Harrison, the issues surrounding Tomlin’s tenure go deeper than postseason failures and are rooted in how the team is built and sustained.

On his podcast Deebo & Joe, Harrison delivered blunt criticism of Tomlin’s approach, particularly when it comes to drafting and player development. Harrison questioned the organization’s ability to identify the right talent and develop players once they arrive in Pittsburgh. In his view, too many draft picks have failed to reach their potential, which has directly contributed to the team’s extended playoff drought. Coming from one of the most respected voices of the Tomlin era, the criticism adds significant weight to an already uncomfortable conversation for Steelers fans.

"To be honest with you bruh, I highly doubt if we find [a QB]," Harrison said while speaking on his Deebo & Joe podcast. "Since our last playoff win in 2016, we cannot even pick right on the first- and second-rounders. We’ve made more misses than hits on our first- and second-rounders. It’s only two players on our squad that got extended in that timeframe to a long-term deal that’s TJ [Watt] and [Pat] Freiermuth, and that’s all on Coach T."

The Steelers have Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season, but as the year winds down and he is now 42 years old, his future with the team is uncertain. Many assume he will retire, leaving the Steelers with the challenge of finding their next quarterback. 

That is one reason why Harrison has little faith in Tomlin and the coaching staff to solve the QB issue through the draft. His skepticism is fueled by the fact that only TJ Watt and Pat Freiermuth have earned contract extensions, which Harrison sees as evidence that Tomlin’s drafting strategy in the first and second rounds has not consistently produced impact players.

"Like he is making that final decision on the ones and twos," Harrison said. "You are telling me, that all of that from 2016 to the timeframe of everybody who has come up for renewal, we have only renewed two guys? That means you have had to accept you made a mistake by not renewing them."

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Doesn't Deserve Credit For Doing More With Less

Harrison makes a fair point. The longtime argument in favor of Tomlin is that he does more with less. However, Steelers insider Brooke Pryor pointed out during the 2025 offseason that Tomlin has more control than most head coaches over how the team drafts, constructs the roster in free agency, and handles trades. 

He is the one responsible for having less, and that should not be framed as a compliment. In fact, it serves as an indictment of his drafting strategy, especially since he does appear to have significant influence over the draft process.

Do you think Mike Tomlin’s control over the draft and roster should make fans more critical of his strategy, or does his consistent regular-season success still outweigh the concerns? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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