Mark Madden's Hot Take: When will Mike Tomlin be judged by his results?

Something called Pro Football Network ranked the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin third among NFL coaches, trailing only Kansas City’s Andy Reid and New England’s Bill Belichick.

Pro Football Network seems small potatoes. But this is exemplary of how Tomlin is rated, and why. He’s good just because.

“A Tomlin team never quits.” “The players love playing for him.” These are typical refrains, especially from the national media. Empty platitudes spewed about the master thereof.

At what point does Tomlin get judged by his results?

Here’s my typical refrain: Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game in six years. He’s won three playoff games in 12 years. Two of his last three playoff losses have been at home. His defense allowed 135 points in those three postseason defeats.

Tomlin had a Hall-of-Fame quarterback for the entirety of his coaching tenure till last year. The Le’Veon Bell/Antonio Brown era produced little. Tomlin has squandered a ton of resources.

His preference for ball control and elite defense is outdated.

Tomlin’s coaching tree is sparse. He doesn’t like employing football minds that challenge his. (See Canada, Matt.)

At what point do results trump “just because”? With a lot of other NFL teams, Tomlin would be since fired or at least on the hot seat.

He’s not an elite coach anymore. The Steelers aren’t currently an elite franchise. Saying the opposite again and again doesn’t make it true.

Could the Steelers get somebody better?

Define “better.” Matching Tomlin’s record over the past 12 seasons wouldn’t be difficult. Few had heard of Tomlin before he succeeded Bill Cowher.

If Tomlin left the Steelers, he’d get another head coaching position immediately if he wanted. But does that mean Tomlin should be able to coach the Steelers ineffectively forever? A fresh start elsewhere and the attendant humility might benefit Tomlin. (Three playoff wins in 12 years = ineffective. No debating that.)

Never having a losing season means very little. It should mean nothing when you’re coaching a franchise that has won six Super Bowls. Tomlin should have more winning seasons that are followed by playoff victories. Not being routed by beatable foes.

The Steelers keep their head coaches long-term. That’s fine.

But quit saying that Tomlin is excelling when he so very clearly isn’t and hasn’t for a long time. Same goes for the Steelers. They’re not close to doing anything significant.