​Since Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a number of former players have offered their takes on his tenure as a Super Bowl-winning coach. James Harrison, in particular, has been vocal, questioning whether Tomlin belongs in the Hall of Fame. Harrison pointed out that Tomlin has coached for a long time without any “tree,” a reference some take to mean a robust track record of on-field success, and he highlighted Tomlin’s postseason record of 8-12, arguing that such a mark doesn’t align with Hall of Fame qualifications.
Now Joe Haden, Tomlin’s former teammate and current co-host of Deebo & Joe, has weighed in on another critique: accountability. “Everything needs to be tight,” Haden said, describing a perceived looseness that allowed certain errors to go unchecked. He contended that when star players were late to meetings or otherwise out of line, the culture needed more discipline to nip issues in the bud before they spiraled. Haden suggested that some players were given too much leeway, with Antonio Brown cited as the most infamous example of tardiness to meetings.
Haden played for Tomlin from 2017 to 2021, earning a Pro Bowl honor in 2019. As debates about Tomlin’s leadership and legacy continue, fans are urged to share their thoughts in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for ongoing news, analyses, and more Steelers coverage.
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