Mike Tomlin was in Aaron Rodgers' corner the whole time.
As the future Hall of Fame quarterback took time to decide on his future last offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach didn't hurry him. He supported Rodgers' need to work through personal circumstances, and he was ready to welcome him with open arms when he chose to indeed sign in the Steel City.
Now, Tomlin is gone.
Tomlin has chosen to step away from the Steelers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Pittsburgh's season ended Monday night in a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans.
MORE: Patriots, Drake Maye silence doubters with callback to Brady, Belichick
Tomlin and Rodgers spent the season walking off the field together after almost every game.
Now, they're separated, and Rodgers has to decide what to do next.
MORE: Bills, Josh Allen never stopped pushing, and the Super Bowl dream is alive
Is Aaron Rodgers retiring?
Rodgers has retirement as an option. He's also a free agent, having been on just a one-year contract with the Steelers.
Next season, he'll be 43.
Rodgers was just good enough this season to open the door to a potential return, if he wants to keep playing football.
It's less clear whether it makes sense for the Steelers to be the team that brings Rodgers back.
Besides, Rodgers was in Pittsburgh in large part because of Tomlin. A lack of "Mike T," as Rodgers has called him, might change his mind entirely.
The football world will wait on this one. And Rodgers may again take some time.
More NFL news:
- Bears' Colston Loveland joins Gronk in NFL tight end history
- Why the Steelers real problem isn't Mike Tomlin
- A.J. Brown makes a disrespectful decision after season-ending loss
- Dick Vitale bashes Bears coach Ben Johnson
- Reddit proves Justin Herbert turns into Shedeur Sanders in the playoffs
- Shaq Thompson played minor league baseball for the Boston Red Sox