Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has long been praised for his leadership, motivational skills, and ability to get the most out of his team. But fans and analysts have voiced frustration over recurring issues regarding clock management.
Throughout Tomlin’s career, the Steelers have faced several situations where questionable decisions on timeouts, play-calling pace, and end-of-half strategies have left fans scratching their heads.
Tomlin butchered the end of the first half in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. T.J. Watt sacked Jalen Hurts with 1:55 left, and Tomlin refused to use a time until 1:29 remained. This was yet another example of Tomlin’s conservative approach costing the team valuable seconds. Moments like these highlight a broader pattern in Tomlin’s game management: A tendency to rely on “feel” over sound strategy.
While Tomlin’s overall record speaks for itself, clock management remains a blind spot that can make or break tight games. In today’s NFL, where every second counts, these lapses can be the difference between a win and a loss. Steelers fans have grown accustomed to gritty performances, but they deserve a head coach who maximizes every advantage—including the clock.
The 2024 NFL season is in its final stretch, and the playoffs are on the horizon. For the Steelers to remain competitive, it’s beyond time for Tomlin to sharpen this critical area of coaching.
