Steelers' Mike Tomlin Receives Powerful Praise From NFL Agents

The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base has grown fed up with just regular season wins. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 campaign under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. That drought has caused many fans to be vocal about wanting a new era in the Steel City. However, that isn’t happening anytime soon, as Tomlin remains firmly in place, which only adds to the frustration for some in the fan base. While Pittsburgh fans often debate his future, the rest of the NFL sees Tomlin in a much different light. Across the league, he is respected and admired, consistently regarded as one of the most steady and accomplished coaches in football.

Tomlin’s reputation goes far beyond the wins and losses column. Year after year, he has been able to guide the Steelers to competitive seasons, even in situations where the roster wasn’t among the most talented in the league. Many pundits continue to rank him as one of the elite coaches in the NFL, pointing to his leadership, consistency, and ability to connect with players. While Pittsburgh’s lack of postseason success weighs heavily on the fan base, executives, scouts, and agents across the league still see Tomlin as the type of coach any franchise would want at the helm. His ability to maintain stability in an era defined by constant coaching changes is part of what makes him stand out.

Ben Standig recently spoke to 24 different NFL scouts in his excellent article for Last Man Standig, and two of them anonymously offered powerful praise for Tomlin. Their words highlighted not only his ability to lead men but also the respect he commands throughout the league. That kind of admiration from those inside the NFL serves as a reminder that while frustration in Pittsburgh may continue to grow, Tomlin’s place among the game’s most respected leaders is not in doubt. 

"Mike Tomlin finds a way every year to tell the same message, yet keep it fresh," one NFL agent said.

For Steelers fans, it may be difficult to reconcile the lack of playoff success with the level of esteem he receives league-wide, but it underscores just how much Tomlin means to the organization and how firmly his reputation is cemented across the NFL. 

Another NFL agent acknowledged Tomlin’s recent playoff struggles but still insisted that, without question, he is the best head coach in the NFL.

"Hands down, Mike Tomlin," another NFL agent said. "I know the Steelers could use a playoff run, but they have a shot at contending every year. He sets the standard."

The divide between Steelers fans and the national perception of Tomlin is clear. In Pittsburgh, emotions are high because the standard has always been winning Super Bowls, and anything less feels like falling short. 

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Seen As Rare In Modern NFL

Across the NFL, Tomlin is seen as one of the few coaches who delivers stability in a league where most franchises struggle to find it. His ability to lead, to motivate players in every era, and to keep the Steelers in contention every year is what earns him so much respect from peers.

For many fans, frustration will not go away until Tomlin proves it in the playoffs again. A single playoff win would not silence everyone, but it would shift the conversation back in his favor. Until then, the impatience will continue to clash with the admiration he receives nationally. What remains certain is Tomlin’s reputation as one of the most respected coaches in football. At least, outside of the Steel City.

Do you agree with the two quotes from these NFL agents on Tomlin? Why or why not?