Job Status For Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Revealed Following Horrible Wild Card Loss

The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered the franchise's seventh straight playoff loss on Monday night as the group lost to the Houston Texans by a score of 30-6. It was an embarrassing loss as Pittsburgh's defense kept the team in the game for a while, but the offense was no match for Houston's defense. It was very reminiscent of Pittsburgh's loss to Houston back during the 2023 season, which happened to end with the same final score. The embarrassing performances in the playoffs continue for the Steelers, as the organization is going to have a lot of questions surrounding it going into the 2026 offseason.

One of the major questions surrounding the Steelers is going to be about Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his future. There have been questions about his future in recent years, but there seems to be more smoke surrounding the situation this time around. Many fans want the coach to be fired after his seventh straight loss in the postseason, and that noise will get louder after getting blown out at home to a team that seemed beatable. NFL insider Mike Florio dropped some news during the game about Tomlin's future.

Whenever Tomlin decides to wrap up his time as a coach, he is going to have networks across television throwing money at him, and that seems to already be happening. Florio suggests that the organization has no interest in firing the head coach, but Tomlin could walk away from the franchise as he already has offers from networks to join a broadcast group.

The NFL head coaching cycle has already been wild as eight openings have become clear, and this includes an opening with the Baltimore Ravens after the head coach parted ways with John Harbaugh. It never seemed like Harbaugh would be fired, but he was. He was the second-longest tenured head coach in the league behind only Tomlin, and now Tomlin's decision on his future could open up another job in the NFL world.

An answer on the coach's future should come relatively soon as the organization is going to want to begin planning for the 2026 season, free agency, and the NFL Draft. The coach has given no hints as to what he plans to do, but he seems to be on a good page with the franchise and the two sides would want to do what is best for the other.

Pittsburgh's loss on Monday night tied Tomlin with former Cincinnati Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis for the most consecutive playoff losses. The loss to Houston was Tomlin's seventh in a row as mentioned, and if any other coach in the league had that hanging over their head, they would likely be fired. 

Pittsburgh does not operate the same as other organizations, which is why the franchise has been so loyal to Tomlin. Change might be needed, but it will only come if Tomlin decides to bring his tenure in Pittsburgh to a close.

Steelers Could Look Very Different In 2026 Season

With Tomlin's decision looming, Pittsburgh could also be looking at a different starting quarterback in 2026. It is very likely that Aaron Rodgers has played his final NFL game, and even if he hasn't, he would have to come to an agreement on a new contract with Pittsburgh. 

It seems likely the quarterback will retire, and that paired with a potential Tomlin departure would make the Steelers look very different for the first time in a while. If Tomlin decides to move on from coaching, the entire coaching staff will look very different in 2026.

What do you think Tomlin will do with his future? Let us know in the comments below!

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