2-Time Super Bowl Champion Doubts Mike Tomlin’s Steelers’ Ability To Succeed Following George Pickens Trade

Mike Tomlin has proven himself as one of the best coaches in NFL history. In 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he’s never had a losing record and has led the team to the playoffs 12 times.

But the Steelers’ trade of wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys has raised some red flags. At least one former NFL player thinks Tomlin may have a tough time repeating past success.

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Speaking on his “Green Light” podcast, Chris Long said he expects a rough year in Pittsburgh—and thinks the Pickens trade is proof the team does too.

“Discussing what George Pickens is probably doing disruptively in the locker room is relevant. I think the most relevant thing to me is the Steelers don’t [think] they’re going to be very good,” Long said. “And I would agree. I hate to say that.”

Looking at the Steelers’ roster, Long doesn’t see much to get excited about. Running back Najee Harris is now with the Los Angeles Chargers. Pickens—who Long called the team’s top receiver and the offensive player with “the highest ceiling”—is gone. And the quarterback situation is a mess.

“It’s a lot of change for an offense that wasn’t world beaters anyways,” Long said.

Tomlin has a long track record of getting the most out of what he’s got. His career record is 183-107-2, and he’s never finished below .500.

But if he can turn this Steelers team around, he’ll deserve all the credit.

“If they are very good this year, I will be shocked. If they are a playoff team, make Mike Tomlin coach of the year,” Long said.

Quarterback is the team’s biggest question. Mason Rudolph, with a career 28-to-20 touchdown-to-interception ratio, is currently seen as the starter. Rookie Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025, and veteran Skylar Thompson round out the depth chart. Thompson has played in 10 games with three starts, one touchdown, and three interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers has also been floated as a possible late signing. But Long doesn’t think it’s a good fit.

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“If I were a quarterback … I might chill out for a year. To call it a lateral move for Aaron Rodgers would be optimistic,” Long said.

The New York Jets thought Rodgers could help them turn things around. That two-year run didn’t exactly go well.

With or without Rodgers, Long isn’t a fan of the Steelers’ current roster.

“I’m not sure where they’re going this year,” he said. “To me it’s an indictment … where the Pittsburgh Steelers see themselves in the big picture.”

“Short-term pain for long-term gain—I’ve been hearing this a lot lately,” Long added. “Let’s apply it to the Pittsburgh Steelers.”