The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the oldest, most respected franchises in the league. They’re also among the most successful in the modern era, tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six. Much of that success is credited to the Rooney family’s unwavering loyalty.
While some teams are quick to ditch a coach or quarterback when things go south, the Steelers tend to stick with their guy. They’ve had only three head coaches in over 50 years, and it’s worked for them — until now.
Current head coach Mike Tomlin is facing growing criticism. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and their quarterback situation is a mess. Many are blaming Tomlin.
Former NFL Linebacker Blasts Mike Tomlin Over Steelers QB Mess
One of the loudest voices calling out Tomlin is former NFL player-turned-analyst Emmanuel Acho, who ripped into the coach on a recent episode of “The Facility.”
Acho put the entire quarterback situation on Tomlin. “Mike Tomlin is Mike Tomlin’s biggest enemy. Period,” Acho said. “We’re all watching one of the most important positions in sports be absolutely negligently mishandled, and nobody is saying anything about it.”
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season, Pittsburgh has been cycling through quarterbacks. The list includes Mason Rudolph, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
“Mike Tomlin is Mike Tomlin’s biggest enemy.” — @EmmanuelAcho pic.twitter.com/tw09mcSKaq
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) May 28, 2025
None of them has lived up to expectations, and now the Steelers don’t have a clear QB1. They’re waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision, but even that would only be a short-term fix.
‘It’s a Car Crash’ — Acho on Tomlin Wasting Steelers Talent
Acho said the quarterback mess is unfair to the rest of the roster. Without a stable starter, nothing anyone else does will make a difference.
“T.J. Watt could have 35 sacks, won’t matter without a quarterback. Patrick Queen, 250 tackles, won’t matter without a quarterback. Minkah Fitzpatrick could have 15 interceptions, won’t matter without a quarterback,” Acho said. “None of the work that any of the other players on the roster do will matter so long as Mike Tomlin, and it is on Mike Tomlin, continues to completely mishandle this quarterback situation.”
Acho accused Tomlin of failing at every level — from evaluating to developing quarterbacks. This will be Pittsburgh’s fifth straight season with a different Week 1 starter.
“We are all witnessing this car crash and ain’t nobody calling an ambulance, trusting that somebody else is gonna do it. I can’t believe the Steelers are acting like an ignorantly run football organization. It’s the Steelers! We can’t even say that no more,” Acho said.
Acho isn’t the only one frustrated. Steelers fans are split — some say Tomlin isn’t the problem, others think everything wrong with the team falls on him.
Even if they do land Rodgers, he’s a short-term fix. Pittsburgh still needs to find and develop its next franchise quarterback.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s the thing I’m mad about Mike Tomlin is he let Justin Fields walk after benching him last season 2nd I agree with Terry Bradshaw Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t wear Terry Bradshaw’s number 12