Mike Tomlin recently appeared on Unbuttoned, hosted by Chris Sims, and had a special message for Josh Allen haters. To start the 2026 season, Allen has played at a high level, leading many to wonder whether he will win his second MVP this season. But some believe the attention on Allen is premature, given that it's the start of the season and he's faced plenty of criticism from fans, including for not having a Super Bowl on his resume.
Mike Tomlin on those who doubt Josh Allen because he hasn’t won a Super Bowl:
“My response is, ‘Keep watching.’ He’s writing that story. … I remember people used to say that about Peyton Manning a generation ago until he got it done.” 🎯
(🎥 @CSimmsQB Unbuttoned) pic.twitter.com/VdtLv8gUBX
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 26, 2026
Mike Tomlin, who won a Super Bowl as the Steelers' coach, had a blunt response for Josh Allen's detractors and used Peyton Manning to make his point.
“That's that narrative game that's played from time to time. And, and really sometimes my response to some of that is, ‘Keep watching.' You know, he's writing that story. Man, we're at the tip top of the food chain, man. Everybody doesn't get to win. Man, it is hard…in this business. He's in the midst of writing his story. I remember people used to say that about Peyton Manning a generation ago until he got it done. Well, shoot, he had some real combat in an effort to get that done.”
Tomlin then put into perspective what Manning had to go through to ultimately win Super Bowls with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, drawing a comparison to Allen.
“He was competing against a guy named Tom Brady and some other dudes. Drew Brees, et cetera- who were also winning championships. And the same thing is going on with this guy. Man, this guy's competing against Patrick Mahomes and Matt Stafford, and people like that, who are also in the process of building Hall of Fame resumes and winning championships. And so my response to some of that stuff is to just to keep watching.”