Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has come out to defend coach Mike Tomlin against critics questioning his record. Mendenhall posted on social media about Tomlin’s long run with the team. He pointed out the coach dealt with average quarterback play for most of his time there but still kept the Steelers competitive.
Mendenhall played under Tomlin from 2008 to 2012. He was part of the team that won Super Bowl 43 against the Arizona Cardinals. That victory came in Tomlin’s second year as head coach. Mendenhall rushed for over 1,000 yards twice during his Steelers days.
He remembers Tomlin as a leader who got the most out of his players. In his post, Mendenhall wrote that Tomlin had subpar QB play for all but one of his 19 seasons. Yet the team stayed a threat. He asked how people could hate on a coach who never had a losing record.
Tomlin took over the Steelers in 2007. He replaced Bill Cowher, who had just won a Super Bowl. At 34, Tomlin became one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL. He led the team to the playoffs in his first year. The Super Bowl win followed in 2008. Over 19 seasons, Tomlin’s record stands at 173-100-2 in the regular season.
That gives him a winning percentage over 63 percent. His teams made the playoffs 11 times. But they have not won a playoff game since 2016. That streak draws a lot of heat from fans and media.
Critics say Tomlin wastes talent. They point to stars like Ben Roethlisberger in his prime, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell. The team had strong defenses too. But after Roethlisberger retired in 2021, quarterback issues piled up. Kenny Pickett started but got hurt often.
Then Russell Wilson came in 2024 but did not fix everything. Justin Fields played some games last season. The Steelers finished 9-8 in 2025 and missed the playoffs again. Some fans called for a change at the top.
Mendenhall sees it differently. He thinks the narrative around success in football misses the point. Tomlin kept the team above .500 every year. No other coach has done that for so long. Bill Belichick had losing seasons late in his career. Andy Reid too.
Tomlin’s streak of non-losing seasons hit 19 straight. That ties him with legends like Tom Landry. Mendenhall argues the QB problems held the team back more than coaching.
This defense comes at a key time. Reports say Tomlin stepped down as head coach this week after the 2025 season. He met with team owner Art Rooney II and decided to move on. The news shocked many in the NFL. Players past and present shared thoughts.
Aaron Rodgers praised Tomlin’s success. Cameron Heyward said outsiders do not see the work Tomlin put in. Ryan Clark, another former Steeler, reflected on their Super Bowl days together.
Mendenhall joined that chorus. He and Clark were teammates in that championship run. Mendenhall’s career had ups and downs. He fumbled in Super Bowl 45 against the Green Bay Packers.
That play helped the Packers win. He later played for the Cardinals but retired early at 26. Since then, he has written scripts and spoken out on social issues. He stirred talk in 2023 with comments on race and football media. But on Tomlin, he stays positive.
Steelers fans split on Tomlin’s legacy. Some thank him for steady play. Others want more rings. The team has one Super Bowl under him. Before that, they had five. Pittsburgh expects titles. The next coach faces big shoes to fill. Names like Brian Flores or even college coaches come up in talks.
Mendenhall’s words remind people of Tomlin’s strengths. He built a culture of hard work. Players respected him. He handled stars and rookies alike. Off the field, Tomlin spoke on social justice. He backed players during tough times.
The NFL world reacts to his exit. Other coaches like Sean Payton sent well wishes. The Steelers start a search now. They want someone to keep the tradition going.
For Mendenhall, Tomlin stays a winner. His post got thousands of views. Many agreed. Others debated the QB point. Roethlisberger won two rings but had late struggles.
Tomlin might coach again somewhere. At 53, he has years left. Teams like the Bears or Jets could call. For now, he steps away from Pittsburgh after nearly two decades.
