Pittsburgh Steelers' longtime head coach Mike Tomlin unfortunately heard less than desirable chants during Week 13’s loss at home to the Buffalo Bills. In typical Tomlin fashion, just when he seems down and out, he pulls the fan base back in with a gritty 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14. Now the Steelers are getting ready for a crucial Week 15 Monday Night Football matchup at home against the Miami Dolphins. Securing a win would be massive for Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes, but a loss would place Tomlin right back on the hot seat in the eyes of many fans.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin coaching during a win over the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
Despite the noise, most people around the league still don’t expect the Steelers to fire Tomlin. Pittsburgh simply doesn’t operate that way, as the franchise has a long history of stability and patience with its head coaches. However, that doesn’t completely eliminate the possibility of a mutual parting if Tomlin feels the need for a new challenge or a fresh start elsewhere. After 19 seasons with the Steelers, even a coach as accomplished as Tomlin could eventually be drawn to a different environment.
NFL insider James Palmer added fuel to that speculation on Wednesday during Bleacher Report’s YouTube show, saying he could see Tomlin being inspired by Mike Vrabel’s fresh start and early success with the New England Patriots.
"I wouldn't weigh out the possibility of him taking a year off, kind of like Mike Vrabel," Palmer said Wednesday on Bleacher Report's YouTube channel. "It was weird [Vrabel] didn't get more looks. Ended up being a consultant with the Browns for a year and kind of did everything in that building before landing this job."
Vrabel’s transition has been viewed positively around the league, and Palmer suggested Tomlin might find that kind of reset appealing if the current pressure in Pittsburgh continues to build.
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Mike Vrabel during organized team activities with the Cleveland Browns.
Whether anything comes of it remains to be seen, but the conversation highlights just how pivotal the next few weeks could be for Tomlin and the Steelers.
"I could see Tomlin taking a breather," Palmer said. "Some people around the league believe he just looks tired. And potentially going into the media for a year. I think everybody would have him, in all honesty. I can kind of see that being the case, what happens with Mike Tomlin."
The longstanding coach comparison for Tomlin has often been what happened with Andy Reid during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles fired Reid despite his previous success, and he went on to draft Patrick Mahomes and build a dynasty with the Kansas City Chiefs. Many pundits and national insiders believe Tomlin has to understand that a similar scenario is possible for him if he ever decided to leave the Steelers.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Hasn't Won A Playoff Game Since 2016
Tomlin has never had a losing season, but he also hasn’t won an AFC playoff game since the 2016 season. This is why many Steelers fans have grown frustrated with the same old results and are calling for a new regime in Steel City, even if they know achieving it feels nearly impossible. Vrabel’s recent journey offers a parallel. He found success with the Tennessee Titans, but was let go when the organization felt his message had run its course.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Clearly, it had not, as Vrabel in his first year with the Patriots has transformed them from one of the league’s worst teams into one of its best. Having a young and promising quarterback like Drake Maye certainly helps, but Vrabel’s impact goes beyond that.
That is exactly the argument for why Tomlin might consider a fresh start, finding a young quarterback and shaping a new culture somewhere else. He could attempt the same in Pittsburgh if he can draft his next franchise quarterback successfully, although he has not had much success on that front yet. The decision for Tomlin would ultimately depend on whether he believes he can reach that next level in Pittsburgh or if a new challenge elsewhere might better suit his ambitions and legacy.
What do you think the Pittsburgh Steelers led by Mike Tomlin will achieve by the end of the 2025 season? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
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