NFL Insider Exposes the Truth Behind Mike Tomlin’s Players Coach Reputation as Shocking New Details Emerge

   

Head coach Mike Tomlin has built a strong reputation as a players coach over 18 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin has received some blame for his players-first attitude leading to selfishness from star players, particularly wide receivers.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

But overall, players love to play for Tomlin, and they might play harder for him than they would another coach. At least, that’s been the general narrative around Tomlin for years.

This week, though, CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala pushed back on that narrative a little bit.

“I’ll just say this without violating anybody’s trust. There are many, many, many former players that I have spoken to that have bitten their tongues about their experience with Mike [Tomlin],” Kinkhabwala said on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday, via Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney.


Steelers’ Mike Tomlin More Disliked Than Fans Realize?

Kinkhabwala’s notion that Tomlin isn’t as popular among former Steelers players as it seems will be music to some fans’ ears.

 

But if one really thinks about it, it shouldn’t be shocking. Tomlin couldn’t possibly have a great relationship with every single one of his former players over 18 years.

NFL head coaches don’t coach for nearly two decades and post a .630 win percentage because they make a lot of friends.

While Kinkhabwala didn’t mention names, Steelers fans who have followed the team long enough can probably guess which players told her they have “bitten their tongue” when potentially talking about Tomlin.

I’m not going to mention names either because I would be purely speculating. But with the amount of roster turnover the Steelers have experienced within the last 15 months alone, some players are obvious candidates to be less than enthused when thinking back on their Tomlin experiences.


Aditi Kinkhabwala Explains ‘Disconnect’ in Mike Tomlin Legacy

This isn’t the first time Kinkhabwala didn’t have the most positive review of Tomlin. But that actually seemed to be her overall greater point when it came to the Steelers head coach this week.

Even though it’s not surprising there are former Steelers player who don’t love Tomlin, it’s not talked about enough nationally, according to the CBS Sports insider. She also argued national pundits don’t analyst other Tomlin criticisms enough.

“There’s a huge disconnect, right? Because the national media is in love with Mike Tomlin, and the national media never brings up the playoff drought,” she said. “And the national media never brings up all these wide receivers who can’t seem to behave one after another and another.”

Kinkhabwala’s overall point is interesting. Tomlin might deserve more blame for those issues nationally than he has received.

But I’m not sure Kinkhabwala is correct that it’s never brought into the conversation. For one, she’s a member of the national media, and she mentioned it.

Steelers fans also bring up those topics all the time. Much of the discussion around the team this summer has been about ending the eight-year playoff drought.

The Steelers have lost six consecutive postseason games dating back to the 2017 AFC championship game. That’s tied for the longest active playoff losing streak in the NFL.

That losing streak doesn’t completely fall on Tomlin. But he should shoulder some, if not a lot, of the blame.

Nhung Nguyễn -
The Latest

NFL analyst explains ‘one of the misnomers’ about Seahawks defense, how they can improve

Sport -7 giờ

2023 Ravens, 2.0 on the way? Match Quarters’ Cody Alexander does a comprehensive breakdown on the rising Seattle Seahawks defense. On the HawksZone Rundown, we’re joined this week by Cody Alexander, creator of the Match Quarters website, a football coach, and a defensive ...

Patriots Trade Pitch Lands T.J. Watt

Uncategory -7 giờ

The New England Patriots have made a bevy of moves this offseason to bolster the roster after back-to-back four-win seasons. New England could do one more with this trade proposal for Pittsburgh Steelers star edge T.J. Watt, compiled by Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski. In Sobleski’s pitch, he ...

Houston Texans Former Superstar Named Best No. 11 Draft Pick Ever

Uncategory -7 giờ

The Houston Texans have drafted well over the last 15 years and have impressed recently with the addition of players like C.J. Stroud. Stroud has become one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, having been taken with the No. 2 overall ...

Commanders’ Marcus Mariota on why he opted for Washington return behind Jayden Daniels

Uncategory -7 giờ

The 2025 season is shaping up to be about more than just shaking things up within the Washington Commanders franchise—it’s also about keeping some things steady. This goes for their young starting quarterback and the seasoned pro backing him up. Marcus Mariota ...

Al Horford Expected To Sign With Warriors

Sport -7 giờ

Al Horford is expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Horford is an unrestricted free agent.  Horford appeared in 60 games for the Boston Celtics last season. The five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA ...