"NFL insider shares the latest update on Mike Tomlin's future with the Steelers following their early playoff exit."

 

The Baltimore Ravens eliminated the Pittsburgh Steelers from playoff contention with a decisive 28-14 victory in the AFC wild card round on Saturday. The Steelers struggled offensively, failing to score during the first three quarters and trailing 21-0 at halftime. The early exit has left Pittsburgh facing an offseason filled with questions about the franchise's future under longtime head coach Mike Tomlin.

“There’s going to be chatter and conversation about Mike Tomlin’s future. A great majority of people in Pittsburgh want change,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said during SportsCenter on Sunday. “It’s not the way the Steelers operate. People across the NFL recognize how great a coach Mike Tomlin is, but that doesn’t change the tone in the city.” Schefter also suggested a potential trade to another NFL team as a possibility, but noted that Tomlin’s contract includes a no-trade clause. Any move would require Tomlin’s consent.

“This team will face several key decisions this offseason,” Schefter added. “Quarterback is one of them. I also recall similar conversations about Bill Cowher during his tenure. Fans wanted him gone, but the Rooney family stuck with him, and he eventually won a Super Bowl.” Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl victory in 2009 and another appearance in 2011, but the team has not returned to the championship game in over a decade.

Tomlin’s postseason record of 8–11 has been a point of contention for fans, especially as the Steelers have made the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, only to exit in the wild card round each time. The last time Pittsburgh advanced to the divisional round was in 2017, and the team has not won its division since 2020. The Steelers' struggles in the postseason have increased pressure on the organization, and Saturday’s loss has only heightened frustration among fans.

With the Steelers’ offseason beginning earlier than expected, the focus now shifts to what changes, if any, lie ahead for Tomlin and the team.