The 2025 NFL season was supposed to become a renaissance season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before the season started, Pittsburgh signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one year contract in the hopes to make a run at the Super Bowl. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh had become a perennial playoff contender. But in recent years, the Steelers have endured five consecutive first round playoff exits. Many longtime Steelers’ fans have expressed their displeasure with these results, resulting to booing Tomlin during home games and calling for his departure.
Those fans got their wish. In a shocking development, Tomlin has decided to step down as head coach on January 13 after Pittsburgh’s 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card round the previous evening. The Pittsburgh Steelers have always prided themselves on employing a strong defense predicated on a potent pass rush. However, it was the Texans’ defense that frustrated Rodgers all evening. Houston sacked Rodgers four times, forced a Rodgers’ fumble that was returned for a touchdown, and intercepted a Rodgers’ pass that was returned for another touchdown.
Pittsburgh has reached the postseason in 13 of Tomlin’s 19 years as head coach, culminating with one Super Bowl victory. Considering that the Pittsburgh Steelers are a proud franchise with six Super Bowl trophies, it’s easy to see why their fanbase demands nothing more than the opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl title. Recent Steelers’ teams have fallen short of that goal. Pittsburgh’s last Super Bowl victory was a 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals after the 2008 season. The Texans’ loss extended the Steelers’ playoff game losing streak to six games, with their last playoff victory coming after the 2016 season.
Despite Tomlin’s recent struggles to guide his teams deep into the playoffs, he has set a high standard for the Steelers’ organization. He compiled a 193-114-2 record and never had a losing season. Tomlin employed an approach of professionalism and accountability, which earned him respect throughout the NFL. The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers are the only teams whose win totals surpass those of Tomlin during his tenure as Steelers’ head coach. Tomlin’s head coaching tenure wasn’t filled with competitive edge controversies like the Patriots’ “Spygate” and football deflating scandals that occurred while Bill Belichick was head coach.
What Tomlin decides to do now is anyone’s guess. He established a culture of high expectations that has defined his tenure as head coach, expectations that Pittsburgh’s next head coach will have a hard time maintaining. Tomlin’s resume must garner him consideration as one of the NFL’s all time greatest head coaches of all time.