The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the rare franchises in professional sports that are almost allergic to firing coaches. Stability has always been the standard in Pittsburgh, which is why the decision to fire Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada in the middle of the 2023 season sent shockwaves through the league. That move was completely out of character for the organization and signaled just how frustrated things had become behind the scenes. For a team that prides itself on patience and continuity, it felt like a crack in the foundation.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and ex-Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada chat during a practice.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin, meanwhile, once again avoided a losing season in his 19th year on the job, officially securing that streak when the Steelers knocked off the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. However, the relief was short-lived. Pittsburgh followed it up by laying an egg in a hat-and-t-shirt game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, failing to score a single touchdown with the division on the line. Now the Steelers head into a Week 18 showdown at home against the Baltimore Ravens with the AFC North title at stake, a moment that feels far more tense than celebratory.
Regardless of how that game plays out, former Steelers great James Harrison has had enough of how this season has unfolded. Harrison has not been shy about criticizing the Steelers or Tomlin throughout the 2025 season, and his latest comments raised eyebrows. Speaking with Joe Haden on the Deebo & Joe podcast, Harrison suggested he believes he knows when changes from the top down could be coming in Pittsburgh. He never explicitly said he was talking about Tomlin, but the implication was unmistakable and for a franchise built on stability, even the suggestion feels ominous.
"It needs to be a change in this organization from the top down," Harrison said while speaking on his Deebo & Joe podcast on Tuesday. "I know with almost 100% certainty that, that change will not happen until after the 2026 season. Ok?"
Harrison isn’t holding back when it comes to his thoughts on Tomlin’s leadership of the Steelers. After the team lost back-to-back games in the midpoint of the 2025 season, Harrison openly stated that he never viewed Tomlin as a truly great head coach.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
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.
There is no denying Tomlin’s ability to consistently win games during the regular season. He has built a culture of competitiveness and resilience that has kept the Steelers relevant year after year. However, the criticism comes in the postseason where Tomlin has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. On top of that, he now faces the risk of losing the division lead for another consecutive season, something that will only increase scrutiny on his tenure.
Harrison also expressed his belief that significant changes within the organization will not occur until the conclusion of the 2026 season. While he did not specify exactly why he feels that way, it appears he has a sense of confidence in what he has observed behind closed doors within the Steelers’ building.
Harrison’s perspective suggests that he sees the team’s leadership as aware of its current challenges, but perhaps unwilling or unprepared to make drastic moves during the season.
Steelers' James Harrison Remains Influential For The Black And Gold
Even though Harrison is no longer on the field for the Steelers, his voice remains influential. He continues to provide honest and raw reactions that resonate with Steeler Nation, giving fans an unfiltered view of the state of the team. His insights serve as a reminder that even as a former player, his perspective carries weight, especially when it comes to evaluating the performance of the coaching staff.
Peter Diana / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and James Harrison talk during camp.
For fans frustrated with the Steelers’ recent struggles, Harrison’s blunt assessment reinforces the ongoing debate. While Tomlin has proven his ability to win in the regular season, the question of playoff success and whether the organization needs a change at the helm remains very real.
What do you think about James Harrison's comments? 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!
#SteelerNation
