“Hasn't won playoff game since Obama administration”: NFL insider makes feelings known on Mike Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh ahead of Ravens clash

Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. The winner will take the lead in the AFC North and boost their chances of reaching the postseason. The Steelers' head coach faced backlash from the fans during last week's 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, as the chants of "Fire Tomlin" were heard throughout the game at Acrisure Stadium.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero appeared on Friday's episode of "The Rich Eisen Show" and shared his take on the coaching situation in Pittsburgh.

"They're tied for first place in the AFC North," Pelissero said. "I know they've lost what, five of their last seven here, but they still got two match-ups with the team that they're tied with. Let's see how these next five weeks go before thinking about, you know, what the broader picture is going to be. This is five Decembers in a row that we've had some level of whether it's reports or speculation. We haven't had, you know, the "Fire Tomlin" chants and things like that."

"But certainly, the impressions and the feelings about Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh seem like they have always been not aligned with the views of Mike Tomlin nationally. I mean, he's obviously got the streak of never finishing below 500. He's also a guy who hasn't won a playoff game since the Obama administration…"

According to Pelissero, the Steelers' owner's approach to head coaching decisions depends on two factors. First, whether he believes in the coach, and second, whether the coach still maintains control of the locker room. The NFL insider believes that Mike Tomlin still has the confidence of the locker room, and Art Rooney is not going to fire Pittsburgh's HC.

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Mike Tomlin on "Fire Tomlin" Chants

The Steelers fell to a 6-6 record following Sunday's loss to the Bills. For the first time in 19 years, fans expressed their disappointment with Mike Tomlin with "Fire Tomlin" chants. The head coach was asked to share his feelings about the backlash in the postgame availability.

"I share their frustration tonight," Tomlin Said. "We didn't do enough. That's just the reality of it."

On Tuesday, the Steelers' coach went on to say that he agrees with the fans. Tomlin said if you root for Pittsburgh, entertaining them is winning and when you are not winning, it's not entertaining.

Pittsburgh will host the Ravens in the regular season finale. They have two comparatively easier games in the final stretch, against the struggling Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins. However, it's their performance against the Lions and the Ravens that will decide their playoff fate.