James Harrison shares harsh reality of playing for Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in good hands in the minds of many pundits for 18 seasons with head coach Mike Tomlin. Now, Tomlin is a sensitive subject because he hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. That's a long drought for a franchise as iconic as the Steelers, one that has built its reputation on postseason success. While Tomlin has never had a losing season, many argue that consistency in the regular season doesn’t excuse the team’s repeated failures in the playoffs.

Another common criticism of Tomlin is his coaching style. Often referred to as a "players' coach," Tomlin is known for fostering strong relationships with his players and allowing them a certain level of freedom. Supporters say this creates a positive locker room culture, but critics believe it can backfire when players start putting themselves above the team. This perception has been reinforced during seasons when discipline and focus have appeared to be lacking.

One player who understands Tomlin’s approach better than most is James Harrison. The former Steelers linebacker appeared on "Nightcap" with Shannon Sharpe and T.J. Houshmandzadeh on Wednesday night and opened up about the reality of Tomlin’s leadership. Harrison said that while Tomlin earned respect from the players, his style sometimes allowed certain individuals to take advantage of the system. His comments added weight to the ongoing conversation about whether Tomlin's methods are still effective in today’s NFL.

"With Mike, the biggest thing I guess that I like about him is he is a player's coach," Harrison said. "And the thing that I dislike about him is he is a players' coach to a point of, sometimes it can disrupt because it goes maybe a little too far with allowing certain things with certain players. And then it becomes an issue with that player."

Harrison’s perspective carries even more weight because of the complex situation he faced toward the end of his career in Pittsburgh. As his playing time decreased, he became frustrated and felt like he wasn’t getting honest answers from Tomlin. 

He believed he was asking the hard questions, but wasn’t being told the truth, which led to a breakdown in communication and eventually his controversial departure. It was a difficult stretch in an otherwise remarkable career, and one that many fans still remember with mixed emotions.

"Especially towards the end of my career, the biggest thing was, you ask the tough question, you get the tough answer," Harrison said. "Well, I was asking tough questions, and I wasn't getting the answer. I was getting told things that weren't the answer that was the true answer."

Despite how things ended, Harrison has made it clear that his relationship with Tomlin and the Steelers is strong today. There is mutual respect, and no lingering bitterness. That’s what makes his recent comments so valuable. Hearing him open up about what really happened provides fans with important context they never had before. It offers a rare glimpse into the dynamic between coach and player, and helps explain some of the internal challenges the team has faced in recent years.

One of the most striking points Harrison made is the idea that Tomlin, by being such a players' coach, may unintentionally enable certain behaviors. This has been especially evident in the wide receiver room over the years. 

Antonio Brown is the most obvious example, but Diontae Johnson and, more recently, George Pickens have also displayed signs of frustration and diva-like tendencies. While all three have shown flashes of elite talent, their emotional outbursts and inconsistent attitudes have raised questions about the culture Tomlin fosters.

Long before those three wide receivers, there were several other star receivers under Tomlin who developed similar reputations. Some defend Tomlin, arguing that he successfully managed difficult personalities and kept the team competitive. Others believe his hands-off approach allowed those issues to grow unchecked, ultimately hurting the team. 

This background adds crucial context to what Harrison revealed, and it helps fans better understand the deeper culture concerns that have lingered during Tomlin’s tenure.