Mike Tomlin Says Players-Only Meetings Signal Trouble for NFL Teams

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and current NBC Sports NFL analyst Mike Tomlin said a players-only meeting that becomes public knowledge is a sign a team is in serious trouble, offering a blunt assessment as the Dallas Cowboys reportedly held one following their uneven start to the season.

«I think you're dead,» Tomlin said during an appearance on the «New Heights» podcast hosted by Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce. He later clarified that his concern was not whether such a meeting had taken place, but that it had become a topic of public discussion. «If it did occur, I'd like to not hear about it,» Tomlin said. «The fact that you hear about it is what makes it BS.»

The Cowboys fell to 2-3 through five games after a 24-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Thursday. Much of the scrutiny has centered on Dallas' defense, which has struggled to find consistency and ranks near the bottom of the NFL in yards allowed per game. The players-only meeting was reportedly held against that backdrop.

Tomlin, who spent 19 years leading the Steelers before moving into broadcasting, also addressed whether he has faced criticism for speaking fondly of his former team during «Football Night in America» broadcasts. «To be honest with ya, I don't care if I do,» he said. «How can you be somewhere 19 years, man, and had really a personal stake in most of the guys being there and not care for 'em? Not root for 'em? Not be for 'em? I'm not gonna pretend that I'm not. I can't do that.» He added that he takes his broadcasting job seriously but will not apologize for his loyalty. «Everybody knows where my heart is and where my support is, and I'm not apologizing for that.»

Dallas has begun making changes to its defensive operation. Matt Eberflus served as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator last season under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, then joined the San Francisco 49ers as assistant head coach/defense for 2026. Dallas turned to Christian Parker to lead the defense. The unit has shown modest improvement in some areas under Parker but still ranks near the bottom of the league in yards allowed per game through five weeks.

Shortly after the loss to Tampa Bay, Schottenheimer began adjusting the defense. One change was the addition of Mike Pettine as senior defensive assistant. Pettine has worked with Parker in the past, giving the staff a familiar face as it tries to stabilize a group that has largely struggled.

The Cowboys will travel to Lambeau Field on Sunday night for a Week 6 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, a game that will test whether the defensive adjustments and any internal conversations produce results on the field.

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Delaney Sawyer

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Delaney Sawyer covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Core Memo. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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