Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin’s Future in Pittsburgh: Is Andy Reid’s Career Arc the Blueprint?
Mike Tomlin isn’t going anywhere—at least not yet. Despite a rough end to the 2024 season, where the Pittsburgh Steelers lost five straight games, Tomlin remains entrenched as the team’s head coach. However, for the first time in his 18-year tenure, his grip on the job appears to be slipping. Simply making the playoffs or finishing with a winning record in 2025 may no longer be enough to satisfy Pittsburgh’s high standards.
A Legacy of Success
While some within the Steelers’ fanbase believe Tomlin’s time in Pittsburgh should be up, there’s no doubt he’d be highly coveted if he were to hit the open market. His resume speaks for itself—an overall record of 183-107-2, 12 playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals in 2008. Few head coaches in the modern era can match his consistency and ability to lead competitive teams year after year.
NFL analyst Rich Eisen recently compared Tomlin’s situation to that of Andy Reid, who was dismissed by the Philadelphia Eagles after 14 seasons despite his impressive track record. Reid quickly found a new home with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, and the rest is history. He has since led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles, with a chance to secure a fourth this weekend against his former team.
Could Tomlin Follow Reid’s Path?
Eisen pointed to Reid’s career trajectory as a potential roadmap for Tomlin if his time in Pittsburgh comes to an end.
“It is, in my estimation, the personification of a road map that’s placed in front of Mike Tomlin to say, ‘Do you want to find your next spot out of the state of Pennsylvania to continue on your path?'” Eisen said on his Overreaction Monday podcast. “Because, take a look at this guy.”
Like Tomlin, Reid found early success as a head coach. In his first eight seasons with the Eagles, he led the team to six double-digit win seasons, an NFC Championship victory, and a Super Bowl appearance in 2004. However, a downturn in his final two seasons—compiling a 12-20 record—ultimately led to his departure.
Now 66, Reid has transformed the Chiefs into a dynasty, amassing a 143-53 record over 12 seasons in Kansas City. He’s a surefire Hall of Famer when he eventually retires.
What’s Next for Tomlin and the Steelers?
Tomlin’s situation in Pittsburgh mirrors the late stages of Reid’s tenure in Philadelphia. While the Steelers have remained competitive, their inability to make deep playoff runs in recent years has led to growing frustration. If the team underperforms again in 2025, the calls for a change could become too loud to ignore.
Should Tomlin eventually move on, history suggests he’d find immediate success elsewhere—just as Reid did. The question now is whether the Steelers will make that decision for him or if he’ll decide to chart his own path forward.
For now, all eyes remain on Pittsburgh, where the pressure on Tomlin has never been higher.
