The Pittsburgh Steelers have a massive game coming up against the division-leading Baltimore Ravens. While this contest is huge for postseason implications, it's also big for momentum and hope. Morale is arguably at an all-time low among the fan base in the Mike Tomlin era, and the fans have gone viral for demanding that the team fire the head coach. With emotions running high and excitement very low, a loss could be irrecoverable, especially with how tough the last few weeks of the schedule are. A win shows that there is still a chance for this team to turn things around.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on as his team loses another playoff game at the end of the 2024 season.
Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith heard all the chants during the team's Week 13 loss at home. During his recent press conference, he addressed the situation and showed that he understood it from both points of view.
Arthur Smith on the Fire Tomlin chants: "I've been in situations personally myself. This isn't a business for the meek, especially mentally. Our job is to win. You step into the arena, that's part of the job. We're in the sports entertainment business. Our job is to produce."
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) December 4, 2025
Smith was the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. There was no sign of growth from Smith's teams, and fans were accusing him of trying to get too cute with plays and ignoring his big-time playmakers. That fan base was also calling for him to be fired, and it happened after his third season. He has been there and done that, and he knows what the expectations are for a leader.
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Arthur Smith reacting during a game as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, he is watching as Steeler Nation continues to turn on the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL currently. He has to see his own players having to answer questions for these chants as there is the possibility of it turning into a distraction. Even Tomlin himself had to answer for it repeatedly. Smith clearly saw that, as his answer mirrored his boss' from both Sunday and Tuesday.
Clearly, there is still lots of respect for Tomlin in the locker room, and no one on the team wants to hear these chants. However, playing terrible football has its consequences, and now it falls on the head coach. If they want to silence their own fans and get everyone back on the Tomlin train, they will play as hard as they can and retake sole possession of the AFC North lead on Sunday against their most hated rivals.
Steelers-Ravens Rivalry Will Show What Pittsburgh Is Capable Of
This rivalry needs no introduction. There may not be two teams in the NFL that hate each other more. The expectation is a tough, physical game where every single yard is earned, and every ball-carrier is at risk of taking the biggest hit of his life. If the Steelers cannot reach this expectation, fans may get silent: not because of them being tolerant of Tomlin, but out of acceptance that the season is likely over.
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Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh (left) greets Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) on the field prior to a regular season football game in Pittsburgh, PA.
The last two times the Steelers played the Ravens, it was embarrassing. Baltimore ran all over its division rival in two home blowouts, including one in the playoffs. That absolutely can't happen again, or else there may not be a way to recover from a loss like that. Getting annihilated by your most hated rival three times in a row is not a fluke; it's a trend, and it's one that absolutely can't happen.
If the Steelers win, however, fans will go back to being happy as the team will be primed for a home playoff game for the first time since the 2020 season. Nothing will boost morale like beating the Ravens, and there will be plenty of confidence that Pittsburgh can actually make something out of what seems to be a lost season.
What do you think about Smith's comments on Tomlin, as well as how important this Ravens game is? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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