It all seems to be crumbling for the Pittsburgh Steelers after a devastating 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 of the 2025 regular season. It appears as if the fan base has officially given up on Head Coach Mike Tomlin, which was evident when the crowd at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday was chanting for him to be fired. The most shocking part of the whole ordeal is that the team still controls its own destiny and path to the postseason, with it all beginning in Week 14. The Baltimore Ravens are also 6-6, and the upcoming contest is pivotal for the AFC North.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) and Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh talk during warmups before the game at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
There are a lot more questions than answers currently, but the reality is that the Steelers gave Tomlin a contract extension in the 2024 offseason. He is set to be with the organization, on paper, through the 2027 campaign. Things can change; however, it appears as if ownership will continue to be pressured into making a change, especially if another year comes and goes without a postseason win.
It was impossible not to hear the Black and Gold faithful chanting for Tomlin's firing on Sunday evening. That means the players on the sidelines were also clearly getting the message that was being sent. Rookie edge rusher Jack Sawyer had the opportunity to speak with members of the media on Monday, and he came to the immediate defense of the head coach, insinuating that the players are the problem right now.
Rookie Jack Sawyer on the “Fire Tomlin” chants in the stadium on Sunday: “Yeah, you're frustrated because that's bullshit when people are saying that, but we're not playing up to our standard. ... We need to take ownership as players and go out there and play a lot better.”
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 1, 2025
Fans pay a lot of money to support a team. Sure, there is the big expense of going to games, but there are also jersey purchases and things of that nature that go into being so passionate about an NFL franchise. The Steelers have won six Super Bowls, which has created the expectation in the Steel City that just getting to, or slightly above, .500 in any given season is not good enough. Tomlin is finally catching some significant heat, and players are not okay with it.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers rookie edge rusher Jack Sawyer stands on the field at St. Vincent College as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
There has to come a point where Tomlin's message may run stale in the locker room. With that said, it hasn't happened yet. Sawyer has only been in the NFL for one season, but is quickly coming to the defense of his leader. It's not like an individual would come out and support the calls for a changing of the guard; however, the defender's strong opinion and cursing hint at a different level of disgust at the fan base.
Fans also took time to boo the popular tradition of Renegade playing. This has to send some kind of message to the decision-makers in the building that mediocrity is no longer going to be accepted.
Fans booed the beginning of "Renegade" here at Acrisure Stadium as the Steelers trail the Bills, 23-7, with 10:11 left. That has subsided but no one is cheering and defenders are just standing on the field as Styx blares during the timeout. Is this rock bottom? pic.twitter.com/YSbzb1fOB8
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) November 30, 2025
Time will tell how the rest of the season unfolds, but it's clear that Sawyer could be speaking for plenty of his teammates in sticking up for Tomlin. That speaks volumes about what the locker room is currently thinking after Sunday's debacle.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands on the field and watches his team practice during a 2025 training camp workout at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers May Not Have A Choice Come January
Pittsburgh's remaining schedule is not all that easy. If the team finishes under .500, despite Tomlin having two seasons left on his contract, it might make sense for both parties to explore a change of pace. For now, however, with five crucial games left, it's evident that players such as Sawyer are not mincing words regarding the fan base's recent chants.
Do you think that the Steelers and Tomlin both need fresh starts? Let us know in the comments below!
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