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Prior to 2007, the Steelers held an esteemed position among NFL elites. With a storied history dating back to the AFL and NFL merger in 1966, the team ranked second in all-time wins, closely trailing the Dallas Cowboys, and boasted an impressive five Super Bowl championships—tied for the most in the modern era alongside the Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
With this pedigree, expectations were high when the young Tomlin, at just 34 years old and with limited coaching experience, took the helm. He inherited a talented roster that had recently secured a Super Bowl win under former coach Bill Cowher. Initially, Tomlin made quick strides, leading the Steelers to immediate playoff success and claiming a Super Bowl title within his first two years.