Rumors are swirling after one NFL insider hints at the idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers firing head coach Mike Tomlin.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hope for bigger and better things after signing Aaron Rodgers to a one-year, $13.65 million contract. It's been a roller coaster for the franchise in recent years, despite the fact that the team has never fallen under .500 in any season under Mike Tomlin. However, rumors are swirling that Tomlin's firing could be on the horizon after one insider shared his opinion.
During a guest appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show,” Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes the Steelers are desperate to win playoff games after failing to win a postseason game in nine seasons. Florio believes that if Pittsburgh fails to earn a postseason win yet again, the franchise could opt to fire Mike Tomlin.
“It feels like a level of desperation to end what will be a nine-year streak with no playoff wins,” Florio said about the Steelers. “That's the longest the Steelers have gone between postseason wins since they finally got their first one, December 23rd, 1972, in the Immaculate Reception game. So I feel like there's a desperation there. And if they fail to win a playoff game this year, what happens next? I'm not saying they will, but the level of desperation this year tells me if they fail again, we need to be ready for anything in 2026.”
This offseason, the Steelers traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf while also signing Rodgers as quarterback. The front office even traded away George Pickens in an attempt to remove a possible locker room distraction. Florio seemingly believes these are desperate moves from Mike Tomlin and the organization to create a winning culture in the postseason.
Pittsburgh will be put to the test in the 2025-26 campaign, especially considering how stacked the AFC North division is. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are set to open up the new season with a Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets.
Mike Tomlin’s leadership put into question by Steelers legend
Pittsburgh Steelers legend James Harrison has criticisms for head coach Mike Tomlin concerning his consistency and leadership
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is entering his 19th season at the helm of one of the NFL's most popular teams, but critics have been finding ways to pick at his leadership and coaching style. Former Steelers Super Bowl hero James Harrison is the latest to find fault with the head coach's recent difficulties when it comes to winning consistently in the AFC North.
The Steelers have regularly been a playoff team under Tomlin, but they have not won the Super Bowl since the 2008 season when Ben Roethlisberger was under center and Harrison was making huge plays on defense. The former star linebacker believes there have been certain inconsistencies in his approach with his players that have had a negative impact on the team.
As a guest on the “Nightcap” podcast, Harrison pointed out what he did not like about Tomlin's recent leadership.
“Especially like, towards the end of my career, the biggest thing was, you know, you ask a tough question, you get a tough answer,” Harrison said. “Well, I was asking tough questions and I wasn’t getting the answer. I was getting told things that weren’t the answer. If you want me here as a security blanket, say that. I’ll sit back and do whatever it is. Ask a tough question, get a tough answer. That didn’t come true for me.”
