BREAKING: Adam Schefter says on the Pat McAfee show that it’s “in the realm of possibility” that Mike Tomlin leaves the Steelers with a loss on Sunday. And goes and does TV next season. Or coaches somewhere else in 2026.

Wow. pic.twitter.com/VVQ0UcmN5G

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 29, 2025

It seems to happen every year like clockwork, almost becoming an NFL tradition at this point – the Pittsburgh Steelers are either about to barely find themselves in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs or be eliminated from postseason contention. Regardless of how the final week of the season plays out, fans are calling for the end of Mike Tomlin’s tenure leading the franchise.

The calls for Tomlin’s job have become loud once again from the fanbase, despite very few indications in recent years that the Steelers actually want to sever ties with their veteran head coach. Tomlin has led the program since 2007, winning Super Bowl XLIII in 2008 and advancing to Super Bowl XLV in 2010. He will finish this season with at least nine wins, which will mark the 19th consecutive year without a losing record to begin his head coaching career, which is an NFL record.

But at least one NFL insider truly does see a pathway for Tomlin’s tenure in the Steel City to come to a close following this season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, and during his appearance, he said he believes it is “in the realm of possibility” that the Steelers part ways with Tomlin if the Steelers lose to the Ravens in Week 18.

A loss to Baltimore this week would clinch the AFC North for the Ravens and send the Steelers home for the season. It would mark the fourth time in the past eight seasons the Steelers missed the postseason if they fall to the Ravens, after qualifying for the playoffs in eight of Tomlin’s first 11 seasons with the franchise. A win would give the Steelers their first divisional crown since 2020 and a third consecutive playoff appearance.

If Tomlin does end up parting ways with the Steelers, Schefter reported that he could see Tomlin finding a role on television next year, but also returning to the gridiron with a new team.