The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in the midst of a tumultuous December with a string of embarrassing losses, leaving fans disheartened. However, Mike Tomlin managed to rally his troops, leading them to a 34-11 victory against the scorching hot Cincinnati Bengals.

This much-needed win came after intense scrutiny and calls from Steelers fans for Tomlin’s legendary tenure to end following losses to the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Reports also surfaced that the Steelers organization plans to retain Tomlin, and he’s actively involved in shaping the team’s roster through 2025. Regardless of Steeler Nation’s hopes, the Steelers will continue to run their organization based on their own judgment, not swayed by external opinions or pressure.

Steelers Legend Offers Inside Perspective
Steelers’ legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shared his insights on Tomlin’s unique leadership style during an episode of his podcast, Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger, on Monday. He acknowledged Tomlin’s role in guiding the team and praised the players for buying into Tomlin’s leadership.

“They were led by a general that did a great job of leading them and the guys, they bought in. You have to buy into what a man’s selling and we all know Coach Tomlin is a great salesman. I thought the team did a great job of buying into what a great leader sold them.”

Roethlisberger emphasized the importance of embracing a coach’s vision and philosophy, and in Tomlin’s case, his exceptional leadership skills. He noted that Tomlin is an effective communicator and motivator, often selling his ideas convincingly to the team.

Roethlisberger recalled his years working with Tomlin and highlighted the coach’s unwavering commitment to his coaching style, even during challenging times. While this consistency has been a hallmark of Tomlin’s coaching, it sometimes frustrated Roethlisberger and other veteran players.

“In all my years with Coach Tomlin, he never wavered, he never changed. In the midst of the storm, he stayed the course and sometimes it would almost maybe drive you nuts as a veteran guy, like come on coach, give us something else. But I think that’s who he is.”

Despite occasional annoyances, Roethlisberger expressed admiration for Tomlin’s dedication to personal growth and leadership development. He revealed that Tomlin constantly seeks ways to improve his leadership skills, evident in his collection of books on leadership, including works by Navy SEALs and five-star Navy generals.

“You go in his office, and he has books on leadership from Navy SEALs, five-star Navy generals, and all kinds of stuff. He really takes pride in leadership. I think he does a great job of it, whether you love him or hate him. Is he perfect in everything? No. Are there things you’d say I wish he would change a bit? Sure, but we all have stuff we would change about anybody.”

Roethlisberger’s perspective sheds light on what makes Tomlin an exceptional leader. He highlighted Tomlin’s multifaceted approach to leadership and his ability to adapt to different situations. Roethlisberger acknowledged that no one is perfect, including Tomlin, but emphasized that Tomlin’s commitment to growth sets him apart.

Roethlisberger’s viewpoint offers valuable insights into Tomlin’s leadership, as he has experienced Tomlin’s coaching style firsthand and seen how he guides the team from within the locker room.

While the media’s criticism of Tomlin has been harsh, Roethlisberger’s perspective underscores Tomlin’s coaching prowess. The victory against the Bengals, following a challenging week filled with distractions and pressure, showcases Tomlin’s ability to navigate adversity and steer his team in the right direction.

Roethlisberger’s admiration for Tomlin’s leadership, despite occasional frustrations, provides a unique and intimate look at the coaching style of one of the NFL’s most enduring and successful head coaches. Tomlin’s commitment to personal growth and leadership development continues to shape the Steelers and their journey to hopefully the postseason.

Tomlin has maintained a winning record throughout his impressive 16-year tenure as the Steelers’ head coach and is currently coming to the conclusion of his 17th season at the helm. The upcoming matchups against the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens over the next two weeks will serve as significant indicators of Tomlin’s ability to steer the team towards further improvement.