Steelers Reacts Results: 45% of supporters ‘disappointed’ to hear previous coach returning in 2024

Unsurprisingly, Steelers fan confidence dips following the wild-card loss.

Just last week, prior of the Steelers’ wild card game against the Bills, 69% of Steelers fans polled expressed confidence in the team’s direction. In the same poll, 62% of fans predicted a win over Buffalo, despite being huge road opponents who would be missing star edge rusher T.J. Watt.

Naturally, following that “unexpected” loss, some of the same fan base has lost trust.

Perhaps expectations were set too high for the wild card game. After all, the Steelers had a 1-10 record without Watt entering this game. They were up against a resurgent Buffalo Bills squad that had gone unbeaten since their Week 13 bye, with victories over the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Dolphins. Following a 5-5 start to the season, the win over the Dolphins secured their fourth consecutive AFC East title. In fact, this was a quality football team that had overcome many of the same challenges as the Steelers, including the firing of their offensive coordinator and a number of significant defensive injuries.

What do they have that the Steelers don’t? A quarterback. A gamer. Mason Rudolph performed about as well as one could expect a third-string quarterback to in the playoffs, finishing with 229 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while completing passes at 56.4% – his lowest completion rate all season. He kept them in it, however, and likely worked himself into another deal, whether with the Steelers or somewhere, to keep his NFL ambitions alive for a little longer.

Beyond the defeat at face value, there is still the question of whether anything will really change in the coming years, which adds to the Steelers’ lack of confidence. It’s been 17 seasons without a losing record, but not much to show for it. Another season of struggling against poor competition yet coming out on top. That kind of winning, even if it is still winning, is frustrating. A fifth straight playoff loss? That’s frustrating.

45% of Steelers supporters were ‘disappointed’ to learn Mike Tomlin would be back for another season.

Only 28% of fans were “elated” that Tomlin would return, while another 27% were undecided. It’s hardly unexpected that some supporters thought Tomlin would leave, either through a trade or by Art Rooney II firing him; fans had been asking for it occasionally all season. It’s fair to say, however, that almost everyone realized there was no way either of those things would happen; it’s simply not the Steelers’ style.

The 49ers’ quest for another last-second miracle merits a thorough rewind.

It’s January 14, 2012. We are at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. With 14 seconds remaining, down three, and facing a third down, the 49ers need a touchdown to keep their playoff hopes alive – without going into overtime. The Saints, meanwhile, may end this with a takeaway. It is probably not unexpected that up to 45% of fans hoped Tomlin would leave. After all, they finished 10-7 (5-1 in the division) and advanced to the playoffs despite playing in one of the most competitive divisions in football.

Still, will anything actually change? Quarterback Kenny Pickett will return in 2024, and it appears that he will have every opportunity to retake his starting role as long as he can hold his own against any competition brought in around him. While many teams across the league are holding interviews for offensive coordinators, the Steelers have been quiet. So, what will change? We’ll find out shortly, but maybe Mike Tomlin’s playoff record will change. Cheers to breaking the losing playoff drought in 2024.