If you ask many Pittsburgh Steelers fans, they will tell you they're ready for the end of the Mike Tomlin era.
While Tomlin has never had a losing season as the Steelers' head coach, he also hasn't won a playoff game since all the way back in 2016.
Since then, the Steelers have been an average to above-average team, at best, and never a true contender. That is also the case this season, as the Steelers have struggled mightily on both sides of the ball.
As a result, the Steelers have coughed up their once dominant position in the AFC North and they enter Week 14 in second place ahead of a battle with the Baltimore Ravens that will see the winner stake claim to first place entering Week 15.
While Steelers fans want Tomlin gone, there is no guarantee that's going to happen, as the franchise has a ton of respect for the Super Bowl-winning head coach and he's also under contract through 2026.
Here's the latest on Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh.
Will Steelers fire Mike Tomlin in 2026?
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Steelers are not going to fire Tomlin in 2026 and the only way he isn't the head coach in Pittsburgh next year is if Tomlin himself wants out.
"A firing is not going to happen, however, sources said this past week in the aftermath of a loss that dropped Pittsburgh to 6-6 heading into Sunday's game against the rival Baltimore Ravens," Rapoport reported on Sunday.
"The Steelers know Tomlin is one of the NFL's best coaches, and his relationship with Art Rooney and the organization he's coached since 2007 is such that a firing is not on the table," Rapoport added. "As sources have explained, if Tomlin doesn't coach the Steelers in 2026, it will be because he made that decision. And while the prospect of a coach trade often comes up in media speculation, that does not appear to be much of a reality either, sources said."
Rapoport goes on to say that if Tomlin does leave Pittsburgh after this season, the most likely scenario will be he sits out in 2026 before getting back into the head-coaching scene in 2027.
Mike Tomlin's contract option
Tomlin's contract has an option for 2027 that the Steelers have to make a decision on by March. If the Steelers don't pick up that option, Tomlin will be a lame duck next season.
However, the expectation is that if Tomlin does indeed return for 2026, that option will be picked up, Rapoport writes.
"That deal, however, contains a team option that must be picked up by March to lock in that 2027 season," Rapoport said.
"If not, Tomlin would enter the 2026 season in a contract year -- which would be noteworthy considering his stature. That's why it's likely the team would pick the option up, sources say."
It's pretty clear based on Rapoport's reporting that Tomlin is going to have the final say on if he sticks around after 2025 or not, so Steelers fans shouldn't be getting their hopes up for a change at head coach next year.
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