The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens had a nail-biting finish on Sunday night. The Week 18 regular season finale was a perfect cap to the 2025 regular season for most football fans, but for fans of the Steelers and the Ravens, it was pure chaos. From the opening moments, this game produced massive anxiety, with every snap feeling like it could swing the AFC North one way or the other.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin greets the former Ravens' head coach, John Harbaugh, before a game.
The tension peaked in unforgettable fashion, starting with a Chris Boswell missed extra point that was ruled a block, keeping the door open for Baltimore. Lamar Jackson then delivered a clutch drive, finding Isaiah Likely to set up a 44-yard field goal attempt from Ravens kicker Tyler Loop with time expiring. In a moment that silenced Baltimore fans and sent Pittsburgh into disbelief, Loop missed the kick. The Steelers escaped with a 26-24 victory to win the AFC North and secure a playoff spot in dramatic fashion.
Just days later, the rivalry’s shockwaves extended beyond the field. On Tuesday, it was revealed that the Ravens were parting ways with their long-time head coach, John Harbaugh, a decision that clearly struck a nerve with former NFL head coach and current analyst Tony Dungy. While discussing the move on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, Dungy revealed a private conversation he recently had with Steelers Team President Art Rooney II, offering rare insight into the organization’s unwavering stance on Mike Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh.
"I interviewed Mike Tomlin Saturday," Dungy said. "I'm in Art Rooney's office, and I sit for 30 minutes with Art Rooney. And I come to the conclusion, Mike Tomlin is not in trouble. I sensed that from talking to Art [Rooney II]."
Dungy had a private conversation with the most important decision maker regarding the Steelers and received no indication that Tomlin’s future was in jeopardy.
AP Photo
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
That does not mean Tomlin will not explore other options, but from the Steelers’ standpoint, Dungy believes the organization is still very happy with Tomlin leading the team.
"We were at the game, Dan, covering the game, Pittsburgh and Baltimore," Dungy said while speaking with Dan Patrick. "And leading up to it, all we're hearing is whichever coach loses the game is in trouble. And I'm thinking, here's a guy who's been there 19 years. Another guy's been there 18 years. They've been to Super Bowls, they've been in the playoffs. Why are you in trouble?"
As for the Ravens, they had decided they no longer wanted to continue with Harbaugh. That move clearly upset Dungy, who took to social media to share his grievances about the situation.
I can’t believe what things have come to in the NFL. John Harbaugh has coached the Baltimore Ravens for 18 years. He took them to the playoffs 12 times. He won a Super Bowl for them. The last 4 years they were 10-7, 13-4, 12-5, 8-9. They made the playoffs 3 straight years and… pic.twitter.com/p4DnVmT8BS
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 6, 2026
The modern-day professional sports world sees coaching changes happen much more frequently than in the past. There is a long-running debate, particularly in Pittsburgh, about when a voice runs stale, when past success no longer matters, and only current results are counted.
Steelers Fans Hopeful To See Mike Tomlin End Playoff Drought On Monday Night
In the case of Harbaugh, it no longer mattered, but for Tomlin, the Steelers remain happy with him, despite the fact that he has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin arrives for a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
He will, however, have a chance to change that on Monday night at home against the Houston Texans.
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