They annually have one of the smallest NFL coaching staffs, but one of its best head coaches keeps the Pittsburgh Steelers near the top of the discussion of best staffs in the league.<\/p>\n
At least, until this summer. Last year, the Steelers\u2019 coaching staff ranked No. 7 in the NFL. This time around, ESPN\u2019s Ben Solak has the Steelers in the middle of the pack, landing at No. 15 overall between the Los Angeles Chargers at and the Seattle Seahawks.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a precipitous fall and comes after the Steelers lost five straight games to end a once-promising 2024 season in ugly fashion, raising plenty of questions about head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom August to February, there are few coaches I would rather have with me in the foxhole than Tomlin. No coach has a longer history of his teams punching above their weight than Tomlin\u2019s Steelers,\u201d Solak writes.<\/a> \u201cPittsburgh\u2019s defense is, for seemingly the 137th season in a row, a reflection of its coach: tirelessly tough, prepared for the key moment and never out of the fight. It\u2019s tempting to leave it there, but Tomlin\u2019s influence on the Steelers\u2019 disinterested approach to the quarterback position is impossible to ignore. It is unfeasible to win in the modern NFL without treating quarterback as what it is \u2014 an exceptional position that must be given exceptional resources.<\/p>\n \u201cFor his (however small) part in the Steelers\u2019 organizational direction toward stopgap quarterback options, Tomlin gets dinged.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note, to the chagrin of many who read this, that Tomlin has never had a losing season as the Steelers\u2019 head coach. He always has them in contention, finding ways to muddy up games<\/a>, drag teams into ugly football and win games.<\/p>\n As Solak writes, the Steelers are never out of the fight under Tomlin.<\/p>\n Until the playoffs, at least.<\/p>\n Despite being able to do that type of stuff in the regular season, they haven\u2019t had a prayer in the playoffs in recent years. But being able to do that in the regular season and just getting to the postseason is a feat in and of itself.<\/p>\n Now, though, the Steelers have made significant roster moves, upgrading some key areas, particularly at quarterback. With Aaron Rodgers under center, the Steelers believe they have their best quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger, one who can help them have success in the postseason.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n