The NFL has turned the page toward the 2026 NFL Draft, and teams are preparing to add new faces to their rosters in an exciting rookie class.
Some teams will do so with new leadership in the front office or at head coach. For example, three of the four AFC North teams now have a new head coach.
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently turned a page in their historic franchise with the retirement of head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is a future Hall of Fame inductee—but that doesn’t mean he was without flaws.
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A handful of former coaches and players have discussed Tomlin’s shortcomings, and one former Steelers linebacker recently blasted the head coach.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Stevenson Sylvester, whom the Steelers drafted in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, reached the Super Bowl during his rookie season—losing to the Green Bay Packers, now led by Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.
After that, the Steelers took a sudden turn in postseason fortune. They posted a 3–11 postseason record and never returned to the Super Bowl. Sylvester pointed to Tomlin as a reason for the decline in success.
Sylvester also highlighted how quickly Tomlin began to micromanage his players and coaches. He told KSL Sports that Tomlin sometimes took over coaches’ jobs, diminishing their roles.
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Sylvester then made a damning statement. “That created dysfunction.” He said.
Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Stevenson Sylvester (55) battles for the ball wit teammate cornerback Keenan Lewis (23) and Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) and linebacker Diyral Briggs (53) during the first half of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
If there’s one word Tomlin critics have repeated throughout the years, it’s the perceived dysfunction of the team at times. Whether it involves player behavior, losses to inferior teams, or other questionable moments, “dysfunction” remains the common term.
Tomlin has a number of critics, including former linebacker James Harrison. Sylvester becomes another voice highlighting the flaws of the 19-year head coach.
Tomlin may have gotten the most out of some weaker rosters, but some of his strongest teams fell short. His 2011 unit was bounced by Tim Tebow, and his 2017 unit was dominated by Blake Bortles.
Both teams are arguably Tomlin’s best since the Steelers’ last Super Bowl appearance. Now, it’s up to McCarthy to turn their fortunes around.
