Perhaps the most notable saying coined by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is, “The standard is the standard.” This phrase, which has been frequently used over the years by the league’s longest-tenured head coach, is even engraved on a wall inside Pittsburgh’s locker room. Like many of Tomlin’s sayings, its meaning isn’t always immediately clear, but given Tomlin’s impressive 18-season run in Pittsburgh, this one is quite straightforward compared to others.

Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, the Steelers have set the standard for consistency in the NFL. Notice the emphasis on consistency rather than excellence—there’s a distinct difference, and the Steelers under Tomlin have exemplified that. While Pittsburgh fans understandably wish to see the team achieve excellence, it’s crucial not to overlook the difficulty of maintaining such a high level of consistency.

Critics calling for Tomlin to be fired fail to appreciate the rarity of what he has accomplished. Sustaining an 18-season streak without a single losing record is no small feat. In the NFL’s 100-plus-year history, only Tom Landry (21 seasons) and Bill Belichick (19 seasons) have managed longer stretches of avoiding sub-.500 finishes. That places Tomlin in elite company, alongside two of the top-winning head coaches in history. Tomlin himself ranks 11th on that list.

To be fair, the Steelers have long been a model of stability and success, even before Tomlin’s tenure. Since 1969, only three men—Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Tomlin—have served as the team’s head coach. Since 1972, Pittsburgh has made 33 postseason appearances, with the longest playoff drought lasting just four years. Remarkably, under Tomlin, the Steelers have never gone more than two consecutive seasons without a playoff berth.

Here are some notable facts about Tomlin’s tenure:

• Only the New England Patriots (195 wins) and Green Bay Packers (186 wins) have more regular-season victories than Pittsburgh (183 wins) since 2007.
• The Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, Packers, and Chiefs are the only franchises with at least 12 playoff appearances during that span. Critics may highlight Tomlin’s 8-10 postseason record, but Pittsburgh is one of just seven teams with at least eight playoff wins and two Super Bowl appearances since 2007.
• While the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since January 15, 2017, only four teams—Kansas City, Baltimore, Buffalo, and Philadelphia—have more regular-season wins during that time.
• Since 2017, Pittsburgh ranks 20th in points scored but 4th in points allowed, a testament to Tomlin’s defensive expertise.
• In six of his 18 seasons, the Steelers ranked in the top five for both points and yards allowed, achieving a 66-30 record in those years.
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Tomlin has also faced unique challenges, managing two highly talented but controversial players in Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, as well as working with Ben Roethlisberger, who was never consistently considered a top-five quarterback. Despite this, Tomlin’s winning percentage ranks among the top coaches in NFL history, trailing only legends like Don Shula, George Halas, Bill Belichick, Andy Reid, and Curly Lambeau.

And let’s not forget—Tomlin is widely regarded as one of the coolest figures on the sidelines, a characteristic that sets him apart even further.

While Pittsburgh’s high standards predate Tomlin’s arrival, he has upheld and personified them during his tenure. To consider parting ways with him after this season would be nothing short of foolish for the Steelers.