Fans have soured on Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, booing his team and chanting for him to be fired during a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. Will the Steelers and their longtime leader part ways after this season?
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter Points Out Important Date For Steelers’ Decision on Mike Tomlin
Tomlin is four wins away from becoming the Steelers’ all-time winningest head coach in the regular season. He’s won a Super Bowl in the Steel City and guided the Steelers to an appearance in another, as well. However, playoff wins have been hard to come by for the past decade.
Amid the noise, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter peeled back the curtain on a date that might show how the Steelers feel about Tomlin going forward.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are not going to fire coach Mike Tomlin, but they have a significant decision to make early next year,” Schefter wrote Saturday. “After this season, Tomlin’s contract will have two years remaining — 2026 and a team option in 2027. But according to league sources, the Steelers must decide whether to pick up the option on Tomlin’s contract by March 1.”
The Steelers haven’t fired a head coach since dumping Bill Austin in 1968. Chuck Noll took over as the team’s leader from 1969-91, winning four Super Bowls, and was followed by Bill Cowher (1992-2006), who added another Lombardi Trophy to the franchise’s lore.
Tomlin, who’s been in charge since 2007, would match former Denver Broncos head coach Dan Reeves for the 10th-most all-time regular-season wins (190)Â in league history.
“Tomlin’s critics point to the fact that the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016,” Schefter said. “But Tomlin also has been an effective enough coach that he has never had a losing season during his 18 seasons in Pittsburgh. With the Steelers at 6-6, this has a chance to be the 19th straight season in that streak.”
MORE:Â 2026 3-Round NFL Mock Draft: Jets, Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks in Round 1
Some have floated the idea that the Steelers should ship Tomlin elsewhere, but his contract includes a no-trade clause, which would allow him to veto any move the Steelers try to make.
Tomlin likely isn’t focused on the future as his team prepares to face off with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. With a 73.4 score, Jackson ranks No. 22 on PFSN’s NFL QB Impact leaderboard.
Washington Commanders signal-caller Jayden Daniels sits ahead of him with a 74.4 score. Meanwhile, Steelers passer Aaron Rodgers (No. 31) has a 68.1 score.
