The Pittsburgh Steelers have built one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. Part of how they have done that is by being loyal to those who are loyal to them, especially with their coaches. In 55 years, they have only had three head coaches: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and, currently, Mike Tomlin.

Despite having six total Lombardi Trophies, only one coach has been awarded the honor of AP Coach of the Year. That was Cowher in 1992, his first year at the helm in Pittsburgh. Cowher took the Steelers from 7-9 in 1991 to 11-5. They clinched home-field advantage in the AFC. During Noll’s final seasons, the Steelers struggled, missing the playoffs six out of seven seasons.

Despite the down years at the end of his career, Noll saved this franchise. He took a team that had been perennial losers for nearly 40 years and made them the first team to win four Super Bowls. They are still the only team to win back-to-back Super Bowls twice.

Is it possible Tomlin is heading down the same road as Noll? It’s possible, however, he has suddenly started being talked about as a possible candidate, given his bold decision to sit Justin Fields, who’d been winning games, in favor of Russell Wilson.

Ray Fittipaldo, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently joined The 93.7 The Fan Morning Show and was asked if Tomlin might finally win AP Coach of the Year for the 2024 season.

“Yeah, I think so for navigating the first six games with your backup quarterback after your starter gets injured in camp,” said Fittipaldo. “Just look at not just that injury, but look at what this offensive line has gone through. Look at what this secondary has gone through. The different approach that they’ve taken in developing these young players. We’ve seen Beanie Bishop develop before our eyes with Cam Sutton out. They had the same plan with Cory Trice; unfortunately, Cory got injured. Yeah, I think Mike is always changing, he’s always trying to better himself as a coach. I don’t know that he’s gonna be the Coach of the Year, but I find it funny that in 18 years now, he’s never won it. I think certainly one of these years now, he’s gonna win it.”

This is Tomlin’s 18th season with the Steelers, and he has never had a losing season. While many fans ridicule that statistic as something the national media loves to tout, the reality is that it is still true. Neither Noll nor Cowher can make that same boast. Tomlin is the only NFL coach to never have a non-losing season, with 17 consecutive ones. He has taken the Steelers to two Super Bowls and won one, yet he has also never had that honor.

The Steelers are currently 5-2 and tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens. They have outperformed most early expectations, and Tomlin is owed thanks for that.

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Went Lone Ranger With Quarterback Decision

When Fields was under center for the first six weeks of the season, he outperformed most expectations. Under the direction of Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, Fields led a very conservative offense. It appeared that he wasn’t allowed to make changes in the huddle. He wasn’t taking shots down the field often, even when he had open receivers.

Wilson took over, and the offense opened up to him. There were passes to numerous receivers, and George Pickens and Wilson seemed to be developing some chemistry. This has led many to feel validated in their thoughts that Tomlin trusts Wilson more than he trusts Fields.

Of course, Wilson has only started one game and has a long season ahead of him. The Steelers will face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 8 before their bye week.