Ben Roethlisberger: Behind The Scenes Treatment Plagued Steelers Locker Room Under Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers witnessed something shocking after the 2025 season ended when Mike Tomlin made it clear he was done coaching. After another blowout playoff loss, Tomlin stepped away from the sidelines, closing the book on a tenure that spanned nearly two decades in Pittsburgh. His departure sent shockwaves through the organization and the fan base, especially as the Steelers quickly turned the page by naming Mike McCarthy as the new head coach. With a new era officially underway, the reality of life after Tomlin has been difficult for many to process.

Tomlin’s decision to step away at just 53 years old only added to the surprise. For years, he was seen as a constant in Pittsburgh, a stabilizing presence who never endured a losing season and delivered a Super Bowl title early in his career. Now, his legacy has become the subject of endless debate. Fans and analysts alike continue to weigh the impressive highs against the frustrating lows, particularly the team’s repeated postseason shortcomings in recent years. While Tomlin accomplished plenty during his time with the Steelers, it is hard to ignore the sense that his head coaching career did not end with the same momentum it once carried.

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger knows Tomlin’s tenure better than almost anyone. Roethlisberger played under Tomlin for 15 seasons and was a central figure throughout the coach’s rise and eventual decline. Speaking on his Footbahlin podcast, Roethlisberger offered a candid assessment of where he believes things went wrong. His comments reignited conversation around Tomlin’s final years in Pittsburgh and shed new light on the decisions and shortcomings that may have prevented the Steelers from finishing stronger under one of the most prominent coaches in franchise history.

"I think, you know, sometimes Tomlin got a little too lenient with the young guys," Roethlisberger said while speaking on his podcast on Tuesday night. "In the sense that like, ok... early on he was always cracking the whip on everybody, the veterans and the young guys. Then he kind of let the veterans get away with some stuff, which was probably ok. But then it got to the point where even the young guys could get away with some stuff."

Roethlisberger is excited about this new era with McCarthy. He wants to be very clear that he is not against veterans getting the respect they deserve. 

He believes players like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell, and others have earned the right to be treated with more respect and should not have to prove themselves the same way younger players do. 

At the same time, he hopes that under McCarthy, respect will not simply be given automatically, and that the young players in Pittsburgh will still have to earn their place and prove themselves on the field. There's a lot of mixed opinions on the McCarthy hire, but Roethlisberger loved it.

Former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Leaves A Complex Legacy

Tomlin started his Steelers tenure with immediate success, winning a Super Bowl early and quickly becoming one of the league’s most respected coaches. However, since the 2016 season, Pittsburgh has struggled in the playoffs, failing to advance in any postseason appearances. 

Tomlin stepped away after the 2025 season, which included an AFC North title and a 10-7 record, but ended with a crushing 24-point playoff loss. While he never posted a losing season, many feel he did not fully maximize his impact in Pittsburgh. His legacy is a mix of brilliance, consistency, and unfulfilled potential.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

#SteelerNation