The Pittsburgh Steelers fan base was vocal about wanting head coach Mike Tomlin to be fired during the team’s 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
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The defeat dropped the Steelers to 6-6. Pittsburgh is now tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens after beginning the season 4-1.
With veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the building, the year would end in disappointment if the Steelers missed the playoffs.
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During an appearance on “PFT Live with Mike Florio” on Thursday, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan suggested the Steelers would consider Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman as a replacement for Mike Tomlin, especially if Tomlin wanted to leave for an open job with the Buffalo Bills or New York Giants.
Fillipponi thinks the Steelers would try to stir up the pot if they knew Freeman was interested in the NFL.
“I think Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame is on that list and might even be at the top of the list. If the Steelers found out that, you know, Mike Tomlin did have eyes for the Bills or Sean McDermott got fired or the Giants, because he likes Jackson Dart, and they were starting to get an itchy trigger finger.
“I think if they found out Marcus Freeman was interested in leaving college for the NFL, that would also entice them to make a move sooner rather than later.”
Fillipponi suggested Pittsburgh is planning for a potential coaching change.
“My understanding is that there are people inside the Steelers organization that… if they were to have the proverbial, (owner) Art Rooney has a huge desk in his office,” Fillipponi said. “And inside that desk locked away is a list of potential coaching candidates when Mike Tomlin decides to retire a step away from football.”
Freeman’s Fighting Irish are idle this week after finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record.
The College Football Playoff selection committee put ND on the bubble before conference championship weekend with a No. 10 ranking. If No. 11 BYU wins the Big 12 championship and No. 9 Alabama wins the SEC championship, the Irish will likely go bowling.
Freeman has been connected to the New York Giants job recent days. While Freeman suggested it was an honor to be thought of as a potential candidate for the Giants, he suggested his plan was to stay at Notre Dame for 2026.
Still, Freeman could be persuaded by Pittsburgh if they send him an offer. Unlike most NFL teams, the Steelers have a history of keeping head coaches around for a long time.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.