Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II is well aware of the fanbase’s frustration over the Steelers’ five-game losing streak to end the 2024 season and the eight-year playoff win drought. All he has to do is check is inbox.
“My inbox has been pretty full lately,” Rooney said. “I have a sense. Look, I share their frustration. I was very disappointed with the way we ended the season. I understand why people are mad. All I can say is actions speak louder than words and we’ve got to be better.”
The Steelers lost five straight games for only the second time under head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers also failed to score more than 17 points during the five-game losing streak to end the season, a streak that hasn’t occurred since Chuck Noll’s first season in 1969. The Steelers went 1-13 that season.
In addition, for the first time since 1988, the Steelers lost three consecutive games by at least 14 points (losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs from Week 15-17). They were out-scored 90-40 during that stretch. The Steelers went 5-11 in 1988, the worst season for the franchise since the dreaded 1969 season.
Rooney said the collapse down the stretch indicated that they’re not in the same class as teams like the Chiefs and Eagles yet. Of course, those two teams will be playing in Super Bowl LIX.
“We have a lot of work to do to improve going into next season. We played the best teams in the league and, obviously, we could see we’re not there,” Rooney said. “We need to do what we need to do to take the next step.”
Despite the five-game losing streak and lack of playoff success for almost a decade, Rooney is still confident that Tomlin is the right person for the job.
“We still feel good about him being a good leader. When you got a good coach, you try to keep him in place. When I talk to the players, they still want to play for Mike,” Rooney said.
While Tomlin hasn’t led the Steelers to a playoff win since the 2016 season, his non-losing season streak is unprecedented. He holds the NFL record for the most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin coaching career with 18.
Rooney doesn’t think that should be overlooked.
“The other side of the coin is when you look at the fact that we have six, seven, eight teams a year that turn their coaches over,” Rooney said. “When you have a good coach, you just try to keep building with him.”
Aaron Becker provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
