As has become a common late-season and early-offseason discussion point, the heat on Mike Tomlin cranks up with each disappointing season. Careening towards another year without a playoff victory, NFL insider Albert Breer wouldn’t be surprised if the team has “hard” internal conversations over Tomlin’s fate.
“I think it is gonna take having some real hard discussions on where they’re at, on where Mike Tomlin’s at, on how everyone feels about the position that they’re in,” Breer said on the Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel when asked if Tomlin needs a fresh start.
Breer echoed similar comments a year ago amid speculation that the Steelers could part ways with Tomlin, either via trade or mutual parting. Ultimately, owner Art Rooney II backed Tomlin under the belief that Tomlin hadn’t lost the locker room and could turn the team around. Pittsburgh again overturned its roster in the offseason with splashy additions of QB Aaron Rodgers, WR DK Metcalf, and CB Jalen Ramsey.
So far, the results have been the same. Pittsburgh started the year hot, but is just 2-4 over the past six games. Owning the division lead for much of the season, the Steelers are now tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place, with the Ravens currently holding the tiebreaker. Two future matchups against Baltimore could decide the division winner. Tomlin has not won the AFC North since 2020 and has not won a playoff game since 2016.
Still, his ability to play above .500 and the respect he’s garnered around the league have Breer knowing Tomlin wouldn’t be out of a job for long.
“There’s no question that if Mike Tomlin became available, he would not last very long in the coaching market,” Breer said. “Somebody would swoop in and snap him up. So this isn’t about his value as a coach. It’s about the situation that everybody’s in.”
After firing Brian Daboll, the New York Giants have loosely been connected to Tomlin. But the first decision comes via Rooney and Tomlin sitting down after the season to decide a path forward. Tomlin shows no desire to leave Pittsburgh, and so far, Rooney hasn’t shown any desire to get rid of him, though his impatience has flared from time to time. If Pittsburgh turns its season around, these questions will dissipate. If not, they will only grow.