Mike Tomlin has combined process-induced stability and transparency throughout his 19 seasons as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has made him loved by hundreds of players and kept him focused on the organization that wants the principles of its coach.
That stability is over now that Tomlin has two years left on his contract, sources told Jeremy Fowler and Adam Schefter of ESPN on Monday afternoon.
Tomlin, 53, informed the players on Tuesday of his decision to leave at a 2:00 ET meeting, a day after falling to the Houston Texans 30-6 in the wild card round of the AFC playoffs, extending the team’s win streak to nine seasons.
He leaves Pittsburgh with the unprecedented achievement of not having a losing season in nearly two decades at the helm of the franchise. He earned his 200th NFL win in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions and tied Chuck Noll for ninth all-time with 193 regular season wins in a Week 18 victory over the AFC North title-winning Baltimore Ravens.
With Tomlin’s departure, the Steelers will begin their search for their fourth head coach since 1969. Before his resignation, Tomlin was the longest-tenured coach of any North American professional sports franchise, having taken the Steelers job in 2007. He finishes his career in Pittsburgh with 193 regular season wins, 114 losses.
Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor and NFL reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano answered tough questions after Tomlin’s departure.
How shocking is the news of Mike Tomlin’s departure?
Although there was talk that Tomlin could leave, possibly to pursue opportunities in television, his announcement and the actual decision still surprised many in the Steelers building. Tomlin’s Tuesday started as it usually does during the regular season, with an early morning arrival and a scheduled team meeting at 2 p.m. Players were in the locker room cleaning out their lockers following Monday’s wild card loss. Before Tomlin’s meeting, it didn’t seem like the players inside the locker room knew there was big news coming. Less than 24 hours earlier, both Cameron Heyward and Aaron Rodgers had turned down their head coaching jobs.
And in the locker room Tuesday afternoon, Jonnu Smith said he can’t imagine the Steelers without Tomlin.
“Since I was growing up, it was Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin, Mike Tomlin, and the winner,” he said. “And winning and winning. And the culture that the city has created football-wise based on what Mike Tomlin has done, the culture he’s built, the way he’s built this team, the way he’s treated the people in the building, the way he’s taken care of this organization so much, and embodies the true meaning of Pittsburgh Steeler.” — Pryor
Who can the Steelers target for head coach, and does Pittsburgh’s tendency to keep coaches for decades factor into the decision?
This is a hands-on job, reducing everything for any candidate. The Steelers have had three head coaches since 1969, a rare stability in the modern era. A culture of excellence, combined with the opportunity to live in real life, will make a career in Pittsburgh the best career available. The Steelers will prioritize leadership, most likely, and like they did with Tomlin, they can target a rising star in a trade.
Several defensive coordinators — the Los Angeles Rams’ Chris Shula, the Green Bay Packers’ Jeff Hafley and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Jesse Minter — seem to fit that mold. Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman has turned down an NFL challenge but could revisit that with a career like this one. The Steelers would be smart to modernize the offense, look hard on that side of the ball, so that the younger players can play. — Fowler
What is the future of Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ QB position?
Rodgers’ one-year contract ended on Monday after he was sent off, but he recently revealed that he had no idea what was next for him. After posting a career-high 14.3 QBR in Monday night’s loss to Houston, Rodgers said he wasn’t going to make an “emotional” decision about his future. In June, he told “The Pat McAfee Show” that he’s “pretty sure” 2025 will be his last season.
If that is indeed the case, the Steelers will be in the market for their first quarterback. Mason Rudolph is under contract for another year, and the team also selected former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. The Steelers have been doing their homework in the 2026 quarterback draft class, but with the No.
Like last year, Pittsburgh will undoubtedly host a number of quarterbacks on previous visits to do due diligence, but it appears the Steelers could be looking at another inexpensive bridge quarterback option to take them to a strong 2027 draft class. — Pryor
What’s next for Tomlin?
At some level, whatever he wants (except coaching the Steelers). He will likely attract interest from several TV networks for various possible roles if he wants to take a break from coaching, with the possibility of returning later. He will also certainly get interest from teams in need of a head coach, as there are plenty of these front offices looking for coaches with NFL head coaching experience; No one on the current market other than John Harbaugh comes close to what he does.
Tomlin’s availability is sure to change the team’s plans and interview schedules, and if he wants to jump into another head coaching job, he’ll be his pick. — Graziano
How does the 2025 season affect Tomlin’s legacy?
Tomlin’s final season was a microcosm of his 19 years at the helm of the Steelers. There have been dramatic highs and unexpected wins along with mysterious lows and strange losses. In the end, his last 10-7 season was like many before — good enough to reach the postseason, but not good enough to make a run and recapture the magic of his early years. Tomlin’s tenure in Pittsburgh will be remembered for close success and an unprecedented streak of undefeated seasons as the head coach elevates his squad every single season by being a clear leader and player coach.
“It’s obvious that you’re the fall guy? You look at this situation and say it’s okay, we’ve fallen, who’s the leader?” They will look for a leader. And I said, that’s Mike Tomlin. But we had a hell of a leader, a great leader, a man who knew how to lead us to the final goal. And he has done it. You are very capable of doing it. “Like I said before, we’re just getting there,” Smith said Monday. — Pryor
