Steelers’ Mike Tomlin: ‘I've been in the hot seat for 19 years’

With the Pittsburgh Steelers in first place and in clear control of the AFC North following a big victory at their biggest rival, the volume of criticism for coach Mike Tomlin has lowered this week.

Still, as he spoke during his weekly news conference Tuesday it had been only nine days since some fans at Acrisure Stadium had produced an audible “Fire Tomlin” chant during a dispirited loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Tomlin was asked if he feels as if he’s on the proverbial hot seat.

“Man,” he replied, “I’ve been in the hot seat for 19 years.”

Sunday’s win at the Baltimore Ravens moved Tomlin — who is in his 19^th season as Steelers coach — into a tie with Dan Reeves for 10^th place on the NFL’s career coaching wins list with 190. But despite that, in addition to two AFC championship rings and leading the Steelers to the Super Bowl XLIII title, Tomlin elaborated Tuesday on believing he’s still got something to prove.

“I always feel like I got something to prove,” he said. “Not necessarily to anyone in particular, but that’s just the spirit in which I go about what I do professionally.”

In the aftermath of Sunday’s game, star receiver DK Metcalf called Tomlin “a great leader” and said he has “done nothing but take bullets for us.”

That Tomlin’s future was such the narrative following the defeat to Buffalo that was their fifth loss over a span of seven outings — and not the players’ underperformance — is perhaps an example Metcalf is referencing.

“It’s the job,” Tomlin said Tuesday of absorbing the heat and shielding it from his players.

Monday will be the Steelers’ first home game since the “Fire Tomlin” chants generated such a discussion in Pittsburgh and among national sports pundits. Tomlin was asked what he expects from the home fans during the game against Miami (6-7).

“Man, I expect them to show up. It’s ‘Monday Night Football’ in Acrisure,” he said. It’s going to be a big game.”