Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin just finished up his 17th season with the franchise, extending his record streak of seasons without a losing record to begin a career. Given some of the moves made around the NFL already this offseason, he is now the longest-tenured head coach in the league.
When you are with one franchise for as long as Tomlin has been, there have to be a lot of productive things done. Teams don’t give head coaches the length of their first contract anymore to figure things out, moving on quickly when a slow start occurs.
While Tomlin has had plenty of success with the Steelers, there have also been some disappointing outcomes. Recently, he revealed the biggest regret that he has had during his time in Pittsburgh; not getting Maurkice Pouncey a ring.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
“It’s probably one of my biggest regrets professionally is that Maurkice Pouncey, for example, is not a world champion because he is,” Tomlin told reporters. “And so, that is a motivating factor for me certainly, but continually it is.”
A first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Florida, Pouncey was the anchor to some excellent Steelers’ offensive lines at the center spot. He is one of the most decorated players ever at the position, earning a Pro Bowl spot in nine out of his 10 seasons in the NFL, two First-Team All-Pro nods and three Second-Team All-Pro spots.
The only season in which Pouncey didn’t receive any accolades was in 2013 when he played in only one game with the Steelers because of an injury. He was also named to the All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
The Steelers got close a few times during Pouncey’s tenure with the team to taking home the Lombardi Trophy. In his rookie season, the team lost to the Green Bay Packers 31-25. In the 2016 season, Pittsburgh was defeated by the New England Patriots 36-17 in the AFC Championship Game.
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
That season is actually the last time the Steelers won a postseason game, as they are currently riding a four-game losing streak. That streak was extended this year, as Pittsburgh was eliminated by the Buffalo Bills during Super Wild Card Weekend, 34-17.
Despite never winning a Super Bowl, Pouncey has admitted that he still felt like a champion during his time with the Steelers under Tomlin. “Never regret it coach, you made me a champion at life. I’m forever grateful,” Pouncey posted on Instagram.
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