Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: ‘These are awkward days’

No head coach likes it when a season ends short of a Super Bowl, let alone short of the second round of the playoffs. Not only is it a letdown, but what follows is the heartstring-tugging process of exit interviews. Some players and staff will head into the offseason unscathed, some will be without jobs.

But it’s all about making the team better, which Mike Tomlin acknowledged in his final press conference of the 2023 season.

“These are awkward days kind of at the end of the season,” Tomlin said. “And so, we’re finding our footing. We’re doing appropriate things, exit interviews, I’m in the midst of beginning those things with players and staffing. The players themselves are exiting appropriately, meeting with coaches, departmental meetings, training staff, equipment, strength and conditioning, etc., nutrition.”

The Steelers want to ensure their players are armed with what they need to head into the offseason. Players then share how they feel the season went from their point of view, and theoretically, the team will then use this data to adjust and improve before the next season starts.

“Those are the things that kind of go on this time of year in an effort to
review what transpired, to gather information all so that when the time is right, man, we start building for 2024. We do so with that information, with those lessons learned, with that experience individually and collectively. And so, we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Pittsburgh’s season ended how it has for 15 of Tomlin’s 17 seasons — without a trip to the dance. Not even close. When he says there’s a lot of work ahead, it’s a severe understatement.