Steelers Owner Art Rooney II Admits Huge Mike Tomlin Factor In Aaron Rodgers’ Decision

The Pittsburgh Steelers were embarrassed by the Houston Texans 30-6 on January 12th, 2025. The Steelers' immortal home Monday Night Football streak finally came to an end. The Texans themselves extended their win streak to 10 games this season. The MNF streak isn't the only streak the Steelers lost too, however. Former head coach, Mike Tomlin, the NFL's longest-tenured head coach, resigned on Tuesday. The Steelers have now lost seven straight playoff games, the longest streak in franchise history, and many believe this played a part in his decision. The Steelers now find themselves in unfamiliar territory, searching for a new head coach. They don't do it very often, but when they do, it's worked out tremendously since 1969.

Tomlin was always known as a player's coach. Most players in the NFL love him, even quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who signed with the Steelers late in the 2025 offseason. Rodgers joined the Steelers with the hopes of making one final playoff push to end his future Hall of Fame career. While Rodgers certainly wasn't his vintage self this season in its entirety, he did enough to get the Steelers to the playoffs. Although Rodgers didn't look excellent against the Texans' elite defensive line, he was able to help get Pittsburgh there in the first place.

There were reports that the Steelers would want Rodgers back for the 2026 season. Since Tomlin stepped down however, it is unclear what Rodgers will do next. Steelers Owner Art Rooney II held a press conference on Wednesday to talk about Tomlin and the roster. When asked how the Tomlin news would affect Rodgers, Rooney responded with some clarity for fans.

"Yeah, I mean, look, I think Aaron came here to play for Mike. So I think it will most likely affect his decision," Rooney explained.

Rodgers didn't decide whether the 2025 season would be his last. However, Tomlin's news likely keeps Rodgers from returning to Pittsburgh. 

The Steelers will now continue to search for their solution at quarterback and for the first time in 19 seasons, a new head coach. 

Steelers Will Have Other Big Roster Decisions To Make As Well

The Steelers have their fair share of veterans: TJ Watt, Jalen Ramsey, and Cam Heyward to name a few. Also, some younger veterans, such as Patrick Queen, Pat Freiermuth, and Alex Highsmith. There was a report that a high-profile Steeler was rooting for Tomlin to be out of Pittsburgh. However, it is unclear as to who. All of these Steelers players have heavily supported Tomlin when asked about him and his job. 

Whoever the new head coach is will have some bad contracts that need to be addressed. Most notably, Watt, Ramsey, and Queen. All of these players have severely underperformed relative to their cap hits. The new coach will have no loyalty to these players. However, which other team is going to want them? 

Ramsey and Queen are easy cut candidates. Ramsey has no dead money in 2026, meaning the Steelers would save $19 million. Queen has $3 million in dead cap, but they would still save $13 million if they cut him. The tricky one is Watt, the 31-year-old edge rusher, who signed a $123 million extension before the 2025 season. In the unlikely scenario that the Steelers trade Watt, they would have to eat $30 million in dead cap. It is unlikely the Steelers would be able to find a trade partner willing to take on that contract. 

It is unlikely the Steelers will have a complete roster overhaul. However, the new coach will be coming into an established group of veterans. Tomlin went through the same thing in 2007. The Steelers were coming off a recent Super Bowl win and still had most of the same roster. Whoever the coach may be, they will also have to win these guys over.

What do you think? Should the Steelers give Rodgers one last run? Should the Steelers look to move some of their veterans? Let us know in the comments.

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