National media outlet drops Steelers HC Mike Tomlin in power rankings among returning coaches

The Pittsburgh Steelers, though it may be hard to believe, actually improved from 2022 to last season, 2023.

After missing the playoffs and somehow saving his never-losing season record, Coach Tomlin and the Steelers managed to go 10-7 and clinch a wildcard berth .

Yet, when ranking the best returning head coaches in the NFL, Pro Football Focus slid Coach T down the board.

Tomlin Drops 2 Spots in PFF Returning HC Rankings

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in T.J. Watt’s career, which isn’t great considering that he’s heading into his eighth season in the NFL in 2024. That being said, if you look at what Tomlin has had at the quarterback position over the past five seasons, even getting to the playoffs is a huge accomplishment. The Steelers didn’t have a quarterback earn a PFF passing grade above 70.0 in 2023. Kenny Pickett was the best of the bunch at 68.8. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields arriving this offseason, there’s a big opportunity for the Steelers to finally make an impact in the playoffs once again. - Gordon McGuinness, PFF

Tomlin finished 5th in returning head coaches in these ratings, down from 3rd in PFF's 2023 rankings . And when you consider that the two in front of him last year were Bill Belichick and Andy Reid, PFF is really giving Coach T a chip on his shoulder by ranking Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and even John Harbaugh above him heading into 2024.

But the truth is, Coach Tomlin himself knows that things have to change in Pittsburgh, addressing the elephant in the room the day he signed his new contract extension.

"I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh," Tomlin told Teresa Varley of Steelers.Com "We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise's seventh Lombardi Trophy."

The stairway to seven has been a long one for Steelers fans, as Pittsburgh's last attempt at the elusive seventh Lombardi came nearly a decade and a half ago in 2010. So while the consistency is to be applauded, the standard that Coach Tomlin has built is championships, and that has to be met.