In a recent appearance on a morning show, Tomlin spoke about a wide range of topics, including which team he considers the best during his 19 seasons with the Steelers. His answer may surprise many fans.
Best Steelers team under Tomlin: the 2015 squad
Tomlin selected the 2015 Steelers as the best team he coached. This choice stands out because it contrasts with the 2008 team that won the Super Bowl and the 2010 team that reached the Super Bowl, only to lose to the Green Bay Packers. The 2015 team reached the Divisional Round and did not win the AFC North.
Tomlin attributed the pick to the overall talent on the roster. The season’s downturn was largely due to injuries, notably Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown missing the Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos. The offense faced a tough matchup without those key players. Martavis Bryant led the team in rushing and receiving in the 23-16 loss, while Fitzgerald Toussaint carried the ball 12 times as the primary Bell replacement.
Injury-plagued stars and a season of misfortune
Bell appeared in only six games in 2015 due to suspension and a knee injury, while Brown achieved a career year with 1,834 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. A memorable moment from that season came in the Wild Card Round when a hard hit to Brown by a Cincinnati Bengals defender led to a sequence of penalties that allowed the Steelers to win late in the game.
2015 to 2016: a peak that didn’t culminate in a championship
The following year, the Steelers remained stocked with talent and finished the regular season at 11-5, advancing to the AFC Championship Game. They fell to the New England Patriots, who mounted a dramatic comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl that year.
That 2016 season is notable as the last time the franchise won a playoff game, contributing to ongoing discussions about Tomlin’s future and his departure after the 2025 campaign.
Tomlin in the broadcast era
Since moving into media, Tomlin has expressed contentment in his new role and remains a respected figure in coaching circles. He could be viewed as a top coaching candidate should he decide to return to coaching in the future.
If you’d like more updates on Tomlin’s career, stay tuned for ongoing coverage of his activities and insights from his time as a broadcaster.
