The Pittsburgh Steelers got embarrassed on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Fans booed renegade and “fire Tomlin” chants broke out as the game slogged to the finish in an eventual 26-7 win for Buffalo. After the game, former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex wrote on Twitter that the loss against Buffalo was his final straw. He thinks it could be the game that leads to Mike Tomlin getting the “pink slip” as Steelers head coach.

“This was the straw. I know a lot of #SteelerNation’s straw was before this, but for me, this is it. There is nothing that can be done after this to justify the ineptness up to this point. We aren’t an injured team. Our identity after 12 games is one of inconsistent softness. This team is SOFT. And Buffalo running on us for a record in Pitt is the epitome of how far we’ve dropped. I love Coach T, but this might be his pink slip,” Essex wrote on Twitter.

This was the straw. I know a lot of #SteelerNation’s straw was before this, but for me, this is it. There is nothing that can be done after this to justify the ineptness up to this point. We aren’t an injured team. Our identity after 12 games is one of inconsistent softness.…

— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) December 1, 2025

The Steelers were routinely gashed on the ground against the Bills. They haven’t been good against the run, and they haven’t been a good defensive team all season. Defense has been the Steelers’ hallmark for a long time, and to see them struggle as much as they have this season is eye-opening. Tomlin plays a big part in assembling and calling the defense, and the unit’s failures should fall at least partially on his shoulders.

The fact that the Steelers have blown four halftime leads and seem to crumble under adversity this season is undoubtedly an issue that falls on the head coach. The 6-6 Steelers aren’t going to fire Tomlin this week, and frankly, the odds of them actually moving on from him even after the season are incredibly low. But it’s rare when former players and guys who played for him start saying it might be time to move on.

The fanbase has been fed up with Tomlin throughout the past few years. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and that’s led to a lot of frustration among fans. Fan frustration is one thing, but frustration from players who worked under Tomlin should be taken with more credence.

Essex explained in another tweet why he thinks this season could be the one that leads to Tomlin being let go.

“The reason players don’t call the HC out by name is because during our days, the HC was influential and another dad figure. You give deference to those who did right by you when you played. All that being said…..This is Tomlin’s resume. It’s on him. This is his vision for the team. And it doesn’t work. His loyalty has become a detriment to playing meaningful, winning football,” Essex tweeted.

The reason players don’t call the HC out by name is because during our days, the HC was influential and another dad figure. You give deference to those who did right by you when you played. All that being said…..

This is Tomlin’s resume. It’s on him. This is his vision…

— Trai Essex (@TraiDay79) November 30, 2025

Essex added that the lack of dominant teams and the feeling that the Steelers aren’t in contention adds frustration.

There’s no doubt the Steelers haven’t played well enough, and Tomlin hasn’t been open to change. The defense looked like a mess down the stretch last season, yet the Steelers kept Teryl Austin on as defensive coordinator. The personnel hasn’t changed much on the field. The Steelers are a stagnant team and predictable. Predictable and good is one thing, but when they’re predictable and bad and can’t stop a nosebleed on defense, some blame has to be laid on the head coach.

Essex’s words mean more as a former player. It doesn’t mean anything is going to happen. The Steelers organization and the Rooney family aren’t about change, and it’s hard to see Tomlin’s job being in jeopardy. But when it feels like the sky is falling at 6-6 and the Steelers are completely outmatched on their home field, it’s hard not to raise questions about coaching.