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After the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-14 wild-card loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, head coach Mike Tomlin addressed speculations surrounding the future of the team’s quarterback room.
“I’m not ready to take a big-picture approach. You know, I’m really assessing what happened today, and I’m certainly appreciative of the efforts tonight, but I can say that largely for the entire season,” Tomlin told reporters after the game (2:50 mark). “They’re two quality people, three quality people at the quarterback position, and really appreciate what they poured into this.”
Both Russell Wilson and backup quarterback Justin Fields are headed for free agency this offseason. Third-string quarterback Kyle Allen will also become a free agent.
Wilson, who started Saturday’s game, completed 20-of-29 passes for 270 yards, with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Fields started in six games and finished the season with a 65.8 completion rate, five touchdowns and one interception.
Tomlin did not believe the team as a whole did enough on Saturday, not singling out quarterback Wilson, but acknowledging that he was part of that group.
“(Wilson’s play), it was like our play, it wasn’t good enough,” Tomlin told reporters. “Again man, I just love the spirit in which he continued to fight, the way he led the group out of the locker room at the half… but certainly none of us were good enough tonight.”
The 36-year-old helped Pittsburgh secure a winning season in his first year with the team, not starting until Week 7 in a 37-15 victory over the New York Jets.
However, finishing the season on a five-game losing streak after a 10-3 start, combined with the free agency of all three quarterbacks, will raise significant questions heading into the offseason—questions that will likely include Tomlin’s future as well.
Tomlin has never had a losing season, with an overall record of 183-107-2. However, with no Super Bowl appearance since 2010 and no playoff win since 2016, a potential trade for Tomlin may become a realistic consideration.
