Mike Tomlin may be one of the few NFL coaches to remain with the same team for so many years, even with highly successful results. However, his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers could be seriously jeopardized if they fail to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
Since arriving in Steel City back in 2007, Tomlin has led his team to 12 postseason appearances. A stumble next weekend against a divisional rival with the same aspirations, could eliminate the Steelers from playoff contention.
Adam Schefter, in a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, revealed that if the Pittsburgh Steelers fail to beat the Ravens next Sunday, it’s “in the realm of possibility” that Mike Tomlin could leave the team after this season.
Could Mike Tomlin be fired?
There’s been a lot of speculation about what could happen with Tomlin starting next week, with the outcome of the game against the Ravens being crucial for his future. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes that Art Rooney II would not rule out the possibility of firing him if the team fails to secure a playoff spot.
“Three things I will never predict when it comes to the Steelers until I see it with my own eyes: a losing season, a playoff win, Art Rooney II firing Mike Tomlin,” the insider said.
“HOWEVER … 19 seasons in, I imagine he considers it on some level each year, whether he’d admit it or not. And the negativity that would come with losing these last two games to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2022, with a rookie QB and Matt Canada, and now having a future Hall of Famer at QB and a real OC? I wouldn’t be stunned if he decides enough is enough.“
Pittsburgh’s final test
It all comes down to this for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Boasting a 9–7 record, Aaron Rodgers and his teammates face a high-stakes, “winner-take-all” showdown against the Baltimore Ravens.
The scenario is simple: a victory at home secures the AFC North title and a trip to the playoffs, but a loss means they are officially out. With the season on the line, the Steelers must shake off last week’s upset and deliver a legacy-defining performance to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.
A successful career with the Steelers
Mike Tomlin has solidified his legacy as one of the most consistent and successful head coaches in NFL history during his storied tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Since taking the reins in 2007, he has famously never recorded a losing season, a testament to his elite leadership and ability to keep his team competitive regardless of roster turnover.
With two Super Bowl appearances, a Super Bowl XLIII championship, and numerous AFC North titles, Tomlin’s steady hand and “next man up” philosophy have defined nearly two decades of Steelers excellence.