The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have a record of 6-6 as the team heads into Week 14 of the 2025 season. The franchise is on the outside of the playoffs currently and sit behind the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. The group can still clinch a playoff spot by winning the division, but the outlook for the team is pretty poor. The team has been playing bad football as of late, and it feels like the majority of the fan base would rather see the team vie for a positioning in the 2026 NFL Draft, rather than the AFC playoffs.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin ahead of a Week 6 clash with the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been under fire more than usual after Pittsburgh lost to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13. It was a pathetic showing that saw the group struggle on both sides of the ball, and the crowd at Acrisure Stadium even began chanting for Tomlin's dismissal. The coach is well aware of his team's shortcomings, and insider Ray Fittipaldo stated on 93.7 The Fan that he believes Tomlin is feeling the heat for the first time in his career as a head coach in Pittsburgh.
"Yeah, I think so," Fittipaldo said when asked about Tomlin feeling the heat. "I don't think there's anyway you can deny it now. Still guys, it's not going to be a firing. But I could see a scenario now where after the season ends, and let's assume they finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs, things are as bad on January 5th as they are now, I could see them meeting and coming to the agreement that it's probably best for both parties that we go our separate ways right now. End it on a good note. I think that's certainly something that could happen. He's not getting through to these guys like he once did."
Tomlin has been in a place where he has not had to worry about being fired. He won a Super Bowl early on with the Steelers, and he went to a second one shortly after. He has never had a losing season while being a head coach, and he has built up quite the resume to one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, things are changing, and it seems less and less likely that the coach will return in 2026.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin walks out of the tunnel ahead of a road game against the New England Patriots during the 2025 season.
Tomlin is under contract through the 2027 season, so a firing would cost the organization financially. The two sides can come to agreement on some sort of buyout that would allow Tomlin to look for coaching opportunities elsewhere, or even retire if that is something he wanted to do. It is unclear if he would be open to coaching for any other organization outside of the Steelers, but plenty of franchises around the league would likely look to hire him.
Steelers Aren't Getting The Same Out Of Mike Tomlin
Tomlin has always been labeled as a great motivator and a player's coach. It is hard to be that kind of coach when you lose the locker room, which is something Tomlin is on the brink of doing. His message arguably does not carry the same weight that it used to, and players have been seen being frustrated with the coach in 2025. TJ Watt was giving Tomlin an ear full on the sidelines near the end of the loss to the Bills, and it has never been more obvious that the game has likely passed the coach by.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin observes practice during 2025 training camp while star pass rusher TJ Watt runs drills.
A mutual parting of ways is going to be the most ideal way for this partnership to come to an end, and it could happen at the start of the 2026 offseason. Pittsburgh needs to take step forwards as an organization, and moving on from Tomlin might be the first one.
What do you think of Fittipaldo's thoughts on a breakup this offseason? Let us know in the comments below!
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