The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a frustrating season. After starting the season with a 4-1 record, the team has since gone just 2-5 and now sits at 6-6.
As a result, head coach Mike Tomlin is starting to face some intense criticism. That criticism only got louder after the team suffered a 19-point loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend. On Sunday morning, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher addressed the noise surrounding Tomlin’s job.
Bill Cowher Still Believes in Mike Tomlin
Cowher coached the Steelers from 1992 to 2006, so he knows the pressure and expectations that come with that job.
Tomlin took over for Cowher in 2007 and has been the head coach ever since. Tomlin won Super Bowl 43 against the Arizona Cardinals, but the Steelers have not advanced past the Wild Card round since the 2017 season.
Now, as the team has a .500 record late in the season, frustrations are boiling over due to what appears to be another disappointing season.
“The next five weeks will determine the impact of change that’s going to take place at the end of the year,” Cowher explained on “NFL Today.” “I think history has shown that Mike Tomlin embraces these opportunities and these challenges.”
While the past few seasons have been underwhelming, there’s no denying Tomlin’s coaching prowess. Only the legendary Chuck Knoll has more all-time wins as the head coach of the Steelers than Tomlin. The Steelers have also never finished with a losing record under Tomlin.
“I think history has shown that Mike Tomlin embraces these opportunities and these challenges.” @CowherCBS on all the outside noise surrounding the Steelers and their head coach. pic.twitter.com/QqiZmFPM2a
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 7, 2025
“The noise on the outside is not going to affect the noise on the inside,” Cowher said. “They’re also a team that’s in first place with a chance to control their own destiny.”
The Steelers have a crucial divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Both teams enter the contest with 6-6 records, and one can assume the noise around Tomlin will only get louder if this game doesn’t go the Steelers’ way.
Steelers Failing to Live Up to Preseason Expectations
Before the 2025 season, expectations were high in Pittsburgh. The team made some uncharacteristic moves, like trading for star wide receiver DK Metcalf, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and tight end Jonnu Smith.
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The team also replaced Russell Wilson and Justin Fields with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, those moves haven’t resulted in more success.
The team’s offense has earned a mediocre 75.4 grade from PFSN’s Offense Impact ranking, while the team’s defense has a 72.0 grade from PFSN’s Defense Impact ranking. The offense ranks 15th in the league, while the defense ranks 20th.
Fortunately, as Cowher mentioned, the team still controls its own destiny. Of the team’s final five games of the regular season, three are against AFC North opponents.
