Shannon Sharpe on Mike Tomlin’s record with the Steelers: “That’s like kissing your girl through a screen door”

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most intriguing teams during this NFL offseason. Some players are leaving, other big stars coming and it looks like they aren’t done wheeling and dealing just yet.

Tomlin’s record not enough for Sharpe

With the headlines come critics and “expert” analysis as sports shows and podcasts around the nation weigh in on any, and everything. Shannon Sharpe, of ESPN’s First Take, has taken aim at the Steelers and more specifically their coach Mike Tomlin.

Sharpe who is in the Hall of Fame and won three Super Bowls as a tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, sounded off on the Steelers coach for his unimpressive record in the playoffs. “What do we always highlight Mike Tomlin with? He’s never had a losing season. That ain’t worth a damn,” said Sharpe.

It is true that Tomlin has never finished the season below .500 since being named head coach in 2007. That’s almost two decades of consistent, competitive football but Sharpe and many people in Pittsburgh are getting restless of their short playoff runs. “We don’t pay the big bucks for you to not have a losing season. We pay you the big bucks to win championships… and they haven’t won a playoff game since 2016.

“Like kissing your girl through a screen door”

The Steelers have been carried by their defense for the last few years. Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh offense hasn’t carried their share of the burden since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021. Last year they brought in a couple quarterbacks trying to change that, but it was the same ole’ story in the Steel City.

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After Justin Fields started the season 4-2, the Steelers made a change at QB putting in Russell Wilson who played well for a few weeks before fading. Once again the offense came to a halt when the team needed them to step up most. They lost the final five games of the season, including their first round playoff game, and failed to score more than 17 points in any of those games.

Tomlin won the Super Bowl in his second year in Pittsburgh, but since the 2008 title winning season he has only got past the first round of the playoffs three times. Sharpe conclude his statement with a sentiment that many Steelers fans might be sharing. “What is 9-8? What is that doing me? Come on, that’s like kissing your girl through a screen door. There ain’t no lips touching. You don’t get to hold no hands. That ain’t doing nothing. I need more from Mike Tomlin.”