By Avry Jones
Photo Credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
While Mike Tomlin’s job security has long seemed ironclad, the possibility of the Steelers parting ways with him after the 2025 season, regardless of their record, is more real now than it has ever been.
Out with Old
Tomlin has been a model of consistency, never posting a losing season in his 18-year tenure. But consistency without playoff success has started to wear thin in Pittsburgh, especially after their loss against the Green Bay Packers on October 27. The Steelers have not won a playoff game in nearly a decade, and despite a splashy 2025 offseason that brought in Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, the team has faltered midseason, dropping from first to worst in the AFC North.
Loyalty may not be Enough
Several reports suggest that ownership, while historically loyal, may reach a tipping point. Art Rooney II has publicly backed Tomlin in the past, but frustration is mounting among fans and analysts who believe the team is stuck in “football purgatory”—good enough to avoid collapse, but not good enough to contend.
Winning Season or Not
Even if the Steelers finish with a winning record, the lack of postseason success and the perception that Tomlin’s message has grown stale could prompt a change. Analyst Frank Schwab from Yahoo Sports noted that the team’s recent struggles, combined with an aging roster and looming quarterback uncertainty post-Rodgers, could make 2026 a rebuilding year, something Tomlin has never faced. Moreover, the Steelers’ fan base has expressed frustration with the team’s mediocre performance in games in which the Steelers had control over their opponents.
Fresh Take
There is also a growing sentiment that the Steelers need a fresh voice to maximize their talent and break out of their cycle of mediocrity. Some critics argue that Tomlin’s defensive philosophy is outdated and that his reluctance to adapt has cost the team in big moments.
In short, Tomlin’s legacy is secure, but his future is not. If the Steelers fail to make a meaningful playoff run in 2025, even a 9–8 finish might not be enough to save his job. The franchise may finally decide that a new direction is necessary to return to championship contention.
Avry Jones is a contributor to The MMM Journal. She can be reached at avryjones@comcast.net
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