2025 Steelers Season Thread

Noll inherited a mess. While Cowher didn’t inherit a franchise QB, he did inherit a couple HOFers and a solid nucleus of pro bowl players. Tomlin did inherit a HOF QB,. And Tomlin built his HOF credentials primarily in his first 9yrs. The last 10 are pretty mediocre. Noll and Cowher knew when to leave. Tomlin hasn’t. Originally Posted by bambino

Noll stayed on for years after he was relevant. I agree Cowher knew when to leave.

Noll stayed on for years after he was relevant. I agree Cowher knew when to leave. Originally Posted by jayzee43

Noll didn’t stay 19yrs. He was better than Cowher and Tomlin. Noll built a dynasty, set the foundation and culture of winning. Now the standard is not having a losing season, not winning Super Bowls.

Noll didn’t stay 19yrs. He was better than Cowher and Tomlin. Noll built a dynasty, set the foundation and culture of winning. Now the standard is not having a losing season, not winning Super Bowls. Originally Posted by bambino

I agree Noll built a dynasty. One of the greatest ever in all of sport.

But he stayed for 23 years. About 7 years after his last hurrah ('84 AFC Championship).

I agree Noll built a dynasty. One of the greatest ever in all of sport.

But he stayed for 23 years. About 7 years after his last hurrah ('84 AFC Championship). Originally Posted by jayzee43

It’s been longer since Tomlins last appearance in an AFC Championship game. Both Noll and Cowher went to more AFC Championship games.

I was one of the biggest Tomlin supporters here. But that stopped around 4yrs ago. Like Noll, the game has changed and Tomlin hasn’t. Art II doesn’t have the balls of his father and demand changes or else.

The standard is supposed to be playoff wins. Chuck Noll coached 23 seasons and 8 of those finished with a playoff victory, which is 34.8%. He was succeeded by Bill Cowher for the next 15 seasons, with 8 of those ending with at least one playoff win - 53.3%.

How does our current coach compare? After Monday it will either be 4 or 5 seasons with a playoff win, for a percentage of either 26.3% or 21.1%, significantly lower than either Noll or Cowher. Further Noll’s percentage is lowered by the necessity to build a franchise completely from scratch — they were a laughingstock when Noll took over. Cowher had a much better situation, but only had a real franchise QB for 3 of his 15 seasons. Tomlin inherited a franchise two years removed from a Super Bowl and had a franchise QB for 14 of his previous 18 seasons (though to be fair Ben was not really elite for the last 2 of those). Tomlin is WAY inferior as compared to either Noll or Tomlin.

The standard is supposed to be playoff wins. Chuck Noll coached 23 seasons and 8 of those finished with a playoff victory, which is 34.8%. He was succeeded by Bill Cowher for the next 15 seasons, with 8 of those ending with at least one playoff win - 53.3%.

How does our current coach compare? After Monday it will either be 4 or 5 seasons with a playoff win, for a percentage of either 26.3% or 21.1%, significantly lower than either Noll or Cowher. Further Noll’s percentage is lowered by the necessity to build a franchise completely from scratch — they were a laughingstock when Noll took over. Cowher had a much better situation, but only had a real franchise QB for 3 of his 15 seasons. Tomlin inherited a franchise two years removed from a Super Bowl and had a franchise QB for 14 of his previous 18 seasons (though to be fair Ben was not really elite for the last 2 of those). Tomlin is WAY inferior as compared to either Noll or Tomlin. Originally Posted by Smarty1

It’s been 8yrs since Tomlins last playoff win. And Cincy basically gave it to him.


Mike Tomlin's last playoff win as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers was in January 2016, during the AFC Wild Card round against the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then, the team has experienced a playoff losing streak, failing to secure a victory in the postseason.
Wikipedia stillcurtain.com

Here’s the real math;

Mike Tomlin will become the 14th coach to appear in 20 playoff games. Highest win% among this group:

.708 Gibbs
.705 Belichick
.667 Noll
.622 Reid
.571 Cowher
.556 Landry
.550 Reeves
.542 John Harbs
.542 Holmgren
.528 Shula
.500 Carroll
.500 McCarthy
.455 Grant

Tomlin is .421

This is the least accurate picture on this app. Steelers would have never had the balls to fire Tomlin if that kick was good. Tomlin would have needed to fire himself. Steelers aren’t the Ravens.

https://x.com/theponiexpress/status/...798209657?s=42

I agree

It’s been 8yrs since Tomlins last playoff win. And Cincy basically gave it to him. Originally Posted by bambino

Time to stop adding caveats to this stuff. A win is a win, especially in the playoffs.

Fact is, Cowher never even sniffs Super Bowl XL without two of the luckiest plays in NFL history against the Colts that year.

Both coaches have gotten lucky over the years - as all Super Bowl winning coaches inevitably do. You can't win a Super Bowl without a fair share of lucky breaks. No one ever has.

Tomlin's lucky wins are no different than Cowher's lucky wins. The two coaches have nearly identical resumés, and like it or not, Tomlin will be right beside him in the HOF soon enough.

... Hey mates! .. . Lemme just throw-in that back in Noll's day
- LESS teams made the playoffs... So, thus HARDER for the Steelers
to qualify. ... Just sayin'

#### Salty

Time to stop adding caveats to this stuff. A win is a win, especially in the playoffs.

Fact is, Cowher never even sniffs Super Bowl XL without two of the luckiest plays in NFL history against the Colts that year.

Both coaches have gotten lucky over the years - as all Super Bowl winning coaches inevitably do. You can't win a Super Bowl without a fair share of lucky breaks. No one ever has.

Tomlin's lucky wins are no different than Cowher's lucky wins. The two coaches have nearly identical resumés, and like it or not, Tomlin will be right beside him in the HOF soon enough. Originally Posted by jayzee43

It’s a fact. If the kick was good, the Steelers don’t make the playoffs. You’re the one bringing up ancient history. If Bettis didn’t fumble the liquored up kicker never would have had a chance to kick a field goal. Cowher went to 4 AFC championships, Tomlin two. I think Cowher underperformed in those games. I was at the San Diego game. What a letdown. But he got there 4 times. They should have beat the Cowboys in the SB. Yada, yada, yada. If Tomlin didn’t have Ben, he wouldn’t have sniffed a Super Bowl. Tomlin should have been to more super bowls with Ben, AB and Bell.

But Tomlin will be in the HOF. That’s a foregone conclusion. Does that make you happy?

Yep. It sure does.

Yep. It sure does. Originally Posted by jayzee43

Good, you can have a party in 10yrs. Make some deviled eggs.

Gainwell should have a big game. Same with Freiermuth. Rodgers definitely feels like he has something left to prove.

Everybody's afraid of Derrick Henry, but the Steelers always seem to have his number. Outside of the playoff debacle last year, Henry has never dominated against the Steelers. Neither has Lamar.

I'm calling it a toss-up. It's going to be a close game, no matter who wins.

Final prediction: Steelers by 2 in a squeaker. Originally Posted by jayzee43

Wow!! What a prediction! Who do you have Monday night??

As for Tomlin…he’s a great leader of men but an average X’s and O’s Coach. His biggest failure is he won’t hire high end coordinators. Never replaced Lebeau and some questionable offensive coordinator hires.

... Hey mates! .. . Lemme just throw-in that back in Noll's day
- LESS teams made the playoffs... So, thus HARDER for the Steelers
to qualify. ... Just sayin'

#### Salty Originally Posted by Salty Again

There were also fewer teams and fewer games.