Did Mike Tomlin’s Minecraft obsession derail NFL coaching career?

Mike Tomlin spent 12 years building an enormous Minecraft city while coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers . So, naturally, NFL fans now have questions.

Tomlin revealed his secret hobby months after leaving Pittsburgh in early 2026. He started playing Minecraft on PlayStation 3 to connect with his children. The kids eventually moved on. Tomlin did not.

He kept transferring the same world across console generations. That journey eventually reached the PlayStation 5, where Tomlin continued expanding his virtual city.

That raises one extremely important football question: Did Minecraft cost Tomlin a few playoff wins?

Tomlin coached Pittsburgh from 2007 through 2025. During his first seven seasons, the Steelers reached two Super Bowls and won one Lombardi Trophy. Additionally, in that span, the Steelers' playoff record stood at 5-3.

Over his final 12 seasons, Pittsburgh failed to reach another Super Bowl. The Steelers also went 3-9 in the playoffs during that span, which coincidentally aligns with Tomlin's time playing Minecraft.

NFL star T.J. Ward speaks about Mike Tomlin's Minecraft hobby

Denver , Colorado, USA; NBC broadcast analyst Mike Tomlin at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Former NFL star T.J. Ward also noticed the timing.

"My first thought was definitely, when did he start playing and when was the last playoff game won?" Ward said on Speakeasy . "Is that why they ain't win a playoff game?"

Ward then admitted that Minecraft is harder than it looks, saying, "That [expletive] is hard."

Later, Ward could not resist taking another shot. He said, "I think he spent a lot of valuable time creating that city. Some time where I think he could have been using preparing for a football game."

Of course, there is no evidence Tomlin skipped film sessions to build skyscrapers. NFL coaching is complicated, and playoff results involve far more than one hobby.

Tomlin now has more time for his virtual city after stepping down from Pittsburgh in January. Perhaps retirement finally gives him enough hours to finish downtown.

And if the next Minecraft update suddenly includes a Lombardi Trophy, we may have our answer.