Despite loud chants from fans and recent chaos, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says Mike Tomlin will only leave the Pittsburgh Steelers if he decides to quit on his own. Sources close to the team confirm the Steelers won’t fire or trade their longtime coach, which shows strong support even during these tough times.
This matters because things haven’t been going well in Pittsburgh lately. According to Sports Illustrated, the team now has a 6-6 record and might miss the playoffs completely. Last weekend during the Bills game, fans were actually chanting “Fire Tomlin!” inside the stadium, making the situation even more tense.
Tomlin has been coaching the Steelers for nearly 19 seasons, making him the longest-serving active coach in the NFL. But the team hasn’t won a single playoff game since 2016. For a franchise with Pittsburgh’s championship history, that seven-year drought has frustrated many fans.
Operation Sports App
Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.
Your ultimate sports gaming companion.
Tomlin’s contract keeps him safe through 2027
People have been talking about Tomlin possibly leaving because of his contract situation. He’s signed through the 2027 season, and the team has until March 1 to decide about picking up that final year. But Rapoport made it clear on Sunday that rumors about the Steelers firing him or trading him away are simply not true.
So what happens now? It looks like the team and Tomlin will wait to see how the 2026 season goes before making any big decisions about the future. This gives everyone time to think things through without rushing into emotional choices right now. Some analysts have been debating his postseason coaching record, which has become a hot topic among fans.
The Steelers might still see big changes this offseason, just not at head coach. There’s a good chance Pittsburgh will need to find another starting quarterback. If Aaron Rodgers retires, this would be the fifth straight offseason the Steelers are looking for a new QB1. That kind of constant change at the most important position makes it really hard for any coach to succeed.
Right now, the focus needs to be on what’s ahead. The AFC North division is still up for grabs, and the team has five weeks left to turn things around. Tomlin has shown he won’t tolerate disrespect, as seen when he defended his player’s reaction to an on-field incident earlier this season. If the Steelers make the playoffs and actually win a game, those “Fire Tomlin!” chants will probably disappear pretty quickly.
Published: Dec 7, 2025 02:45 pm