Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin's future dominated headlines this past week after fans at Acrisure Stadium spent time during a Week 13 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills loudly and clearly chanting, "Fire Tomlin."
Then franchise legends Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison, who won Super Bowl XLIII with Tomlin, separately suggested that Tomlin and the Steelers could benefit from a parting of ways.
A firing is not going to happen, however, sources said this past week in the aftermath of a loss that dropped Pittsburgh to 6-6 heading into Sunday's game against the rival Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers know Tomlin is one of the NFL's best coaches, and his relationship with Art Rooney and the organization he's coached since 2007 is such that a firing is not on the table.
As sources have explained, if Tomlin doesn't coach the Steelers in 2026, it will be because he made that decision. And while the prospect of a coach trade often comes up in media speculation, that does not appear to be much of a reality either, sources said.
Instead, if Tomlin decides to step back after a challenging 2025, the most likely scenario would be that he elects to take a year off, perhaps does some media, then re-enters the work force similar to what Sean Payton did when he stepped down as New Orleans Saints head coach after the 2021 season before joining the Denver Broncos in 2023.
In that scenario, assuming the Steelers have a different head coach in place for 2027, they would receive compensation for allowing Tomlin to seek another job.
Prior to the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson this past offseason, they expressed some interest in Tomlin, which he rebuffed and did not entertain at all.
Tomlin told reporters after last season that teams hypothetically interested in trading for him should, "Save your time."
It's been a difficult season for the Steelers, who have lost three of their last four as quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed a game and struggled in his return after breaking multiple bones in his left wrist in Week 11.
Tomlin said he understands the frustration when asked for his reaction to the fans' chants.
"If you root for the Steelers, entertaining them is winning," Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday. "If you've been in this business, you understand that. I respect that. I share frustrations. I understand what makes this thing go, and winning is what makes this thing go."
Last June, set to enter the final year of his contract, Tomlin signed a three-year extension that secured the future of one of the NFL's highest-paid coaches. That deal, however, contains a team option that must be picked up by March to lock in that 2027 season.
If not, Tomlin would enter the 2026 season in a contract year -- which would be noteworthy considering his stature. That's why it's likely the team would pick the option up, sources say.
The Steelers have gone eight seasons without a playoff win, but they have never had a losing season in 18 years under Tomlin. That's an astounding level of steadiness under one coach, even with some questions persisting.
As one source said, if the Steelers win Sunday, this all goes away.
