Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin faced some serious criticism over a decision he made late in his team’s game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Tomlin took a very conservative approach near the end of the Steelers’ 24-21 Week 4 win over the Vikings at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. The Vikings had scored a touchdown with 2:08 remaining in the game and failed to recover an onside kick, which gave Pittsburgh the ball back and a chance to run the clock out if they picked up one first down.
The Steelers were stuffed on 3rd-and-1 at the Minnesota 40-yard line. Rather than trying to pick up one yard to ice the game, Tomlin opted to punt and give the ball back to the Vikings with 1:08 left.
Many people thought Tomlin was insane for not going for it on fourth down, especially since Pittsburgh was in Minnesota territory and only needed a yard. Greg Olsen ripped Tomlin on the NFL Network broadcast.
“This, to me, I’m not even considering. … It’s a no-brainer. It’s a no-brainer. You get a half-a-yard and the Minnesota Vikings never possess the ball ever again,” Olsen said. “You can’t let the 3rd-and-short play, when you don’t get any yards, you can’t let that spook you. You’ve been good all day with Kenneth Gainwell running the ball behind this offensive line and the big tackles. I don’t get it.”
Greg Olsen and Joe Davis couldn't believe the decision by Steelers HC Mike Tomlin to take a delay-of-game and punt instead of just going for it on 4th-and-1.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 28, 2025
Olsen: "It's a no-brainer! You get a half a yard and the Minnesota Vikings never possess the ball ever again!"🏈🎙️ #NFL pic.twitter.com/P8DP8CTjQs
Olsen also made it clear that he would still think the decision was the wrong one even if the Steelers were to win. Fans agreed, to say the least.
You pretty much have to physicaly restrain Mike Tomlin from kicking on any fourth down
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) September 28, 2025
Mike Tomlin when he easiest W you'll ever see right in his hands. pic.twitter.com/ODMkUFOu4j
— PWszn(3-1) (@PutridLobster) September 28, 2025
Mike Tomlin insanely cowardly
— Aligned RB (@RyB_311) September 28, 2025
Mike Tomlin the type of guy to stand on 12 in blackjack and still win the hand.
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) September 28, 2025
I think I understand why Steeler fans are sick of Mike Tomlin
— WyattzWorld (@WyattzWorId) September 28, 2025
The Vikings had no timeouts remaining and Pittsburgh’s defense had played well all game. Tomlin obviously preferred to trust his defense to prevent Minnesota from going 50-60 yards to get into field goal range rather than risk giving them the ball near midfield if the Steelers went for it on fourth down and got stopped.
Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the NFL, and we saw a great example of why last week. Even if many people did not agree with his late-game decision Sunday, the Steelers won the game. There is no reason for Tomlin to regret it.
