A last-second missed field goal by the Baltimore Ravens’ Tyler Loop established two facts in Pittsburgh. First, the Steelers were back in the playoff business. Second, Mike Tomlin continued his streak of winning regular seasons. However, the noise surrounding his future persists. But speaking to Rich Eisen, NFL legend Bill Cowher has one message for the franchise regarding Tomlin’s job.

“I think I always would like to give people 24-48 hours when it’s all said and done,” Cowher said on The Rich Eisen Show. “Let the emotions get out of it. Have a chance to sit back and reflect, and it’s to sit down and have conversations about moving forward. ‘Where are we going to go?’ ‘The directions we need to go, the things that need to be done, and do I want to be a part of that process?’”

For 19 years in Pittsburgh, the head coach has consistently delivered winning seasons, accumulating 193 regular-season wins and a Lombardi Trophy in his second year of tenure. They also won the AFC Championship in 2010 and claimed the AFC North title eight times under him. However, postseason push has eluded the team for most of those two decades. Going into this season, though, things were different.

With a veteran quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and a wide receiver of DK Metcalf joining the squad, the expectations were high. A 4-1 start certainly boosted those wishes. However, Tomlin was always in hot water this season.

The team’s path to the playoffs was a rollercoaster, requiring a late three-game winning streak to overcome costly losses earlier. The frustrating defeat against the Cleveland Browns, where the offense sputtered, pushed them into a must-win game against the Ravens. They could have avoided such a scary scenario early on with more consistency.

And we can see why the Acrisure Stadium grew so frustrated that the home crowd chanted “Fire Mike Tomlin” on a crucial fourth-down conversion. As Cowher put it, he has now become a victim of his own success.

“Unfortunately, that happens when you set the bar really high,” Cowher defended Tomlin.

However, he also mentioned something we all know by now: Mike Tomlin thrives on being an underdog. For instance, take this season itself. Every time the team started stacking losses, they bounced back with a win. In fact, in that Week 13 matchup against the Bills, where the boos and chants to fire the head coach echoed through the home stadium, the team rebounded with three consecutive wins.

“I think if Mike leaves, it’s going to be a choice that he has,” Cowher said. “I think the same can be said about John Harbaugh. These guys have had sustained success. They’re very, very good coaches. They’ve been the integral parts of these organizations.”

19 years in one organization is a long time. Although Tomlin prefers to play with a chip on his shoulder, there’s no denying that he’s right up there with one of the oldest franchises’ winningest coaches and is one of the most respected coaches in the industry. The chip, for now, is winning in the playoffs.

Small moments can completely change narratives, like Loop’s missed field goal that ultimately booked the Steelers’ trip to the postseason. However, one must focus on the bigger picture. For one, Tomlin already is.

Mike Tomlin is not letting records change his approach

The Steelers edged out the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 divisional round, but that was the last time Tomlin’s team tasted playoff success. Since then, the team has made the playoffs five times in eight years but couldn’t advance past the first round. While Tomlin faces more scrutiny from outside than inside the organization, it hasn’t stopped some internal talks.

Still, Tomlin has refused to let a streak dictate his mindset and shared thoughts on what the playoff win would mean this year.

“You know, it’s not about the organization or myself,” he said. “It’s about this collective. And quite frankly, most of these men don’t care about the last whatever years (of the streak). Most of them are new to us, and so that’s where my focus is.”

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It doesn’t mean the head coach doesn’t understand the weight of that reality. In fact, he’s ready to face the brunt of whatever may come after the game against the Houston Texans.

“I’m certainly not going to unpack my bags on the collective’s bed, if you will,” he said. “I’m excited about (winning a playoff game) and doing it this week with this collective.” 

For now, Mike Tomlin’s complete focus is on the present, not the records of the past. He wants to prepare for the week ahead and give this group the best chance to win right now.