Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy are two of the most successful NFL head coaches of this century. Both won a Super Bowl, while Tomlin has 200 career wins and counting and McCarthy has 185.
McCarthy even won his Super Bowl at Tomlin’s expense in early 2011, with his Green Bay Packers edging the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV as Aaron Rodgers outdueled Ben Roethlisberger.
Neither team has been back to the Super Bowl since, although Rodgers and Tomlin have a chance to get there this year in a wide-open AFC.
With Tomlin notching his 200th career win last week and extending his historic streak of seasons without a losing record to 19, McCarthy praised his former rival on Wednesday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“I’m so happy to see Mike get the recognition and love that he deserves,” McCarthy said. “This, to me, is the reality of who he is as a coach. To do that for 19 seasons is incredible. You want that in your leader…He’s a Hall of Famer in my view, and I’m just really happy for him to see him recognized properly.”
Story continues below advertisement
Tomlin has received a good amount of praise and respect over the last few days just weeks after many fans and media members were calling for the Steelers to fire him. Such is life in the NFL.
The veteran coach has helped turn his team around and get them back on track after a midseason swoon that nearly derailed their playoff hopes. They’ve won three straight games, playing their best football during the biggest games of the year.
Story continues below advertisement
If Pittsburgh keeps it up, Tomlin has a good chance to earn his first playoff win in nearly a decade next month.
More Steelers: Mike McCarthy Reveals Steelers-Themed Christmas Wish
Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images