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NFL News: Insider confirms if Steelers will part ways with Mike Tomlin as fans chant for his firing

With many fans chanting for Mike Tomlin to be fired on Sunday, an NFL insider has revealed whether the Pittsburgh Steelers will actually cut ties with their longtime head coach.

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December 02, 2025 11:06AM EDT

**© Harry How/Getty Images**Mike Tomlin is in his 19th season as the Steelers head coach.

Mike Tomlin has been the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach since 2007, but his long tenure in the City of Bridges appears to be facing critical hours. Even though the Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills didn’t eliminate the Steelers from the 2026 NFL playoffs, the team now has no margin for error with a 6-6 record.

Steelers fans voiced their displeasure with the current state of the franchise in an unprecedented manner on Sunday, chanting “Fire Tomlin!” for the first time in nearly two decades of his leadership.

Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl win in his second year as head coach and the team has never had a losing season on his watch. However, with Pittsburgh’s last playoff win dating back to January 2017, fans are calling for a change.

Will Steelers fire Tomlin after chants from fans?

Despite the fans’ chants, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Steelers will not part ways with Tomlin. During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday, the NFL insider ruled out this scenario: “They are not firing Mike Tomlin. That’s not gonna happen.

Mike Tomlin before a Steelers game against the Bengals.

Mike Tomlin is 8-11 in the playoffs with the Steelers.

In response to a question from Tone Digz, Schefter expanded on the situation: “Tone, I have always felt like if a change ever occurs there, it is gonna be because Mike Tomlin doesn’t wanna be back there. Mike Tomlin, again, I know the people in Pittsburgh do not like it, but he has not had a losing season in his 18 years as a head coach. They also have not won a playoff game since (the) 2016 (season).”

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Why are the Steelers not expected to fire Tomlin?

Tomlin’s current deal and the Rooney family’s stance of avoiding to fire head coaches makes a change unlikely in the near future. Not only is Tomlin under contract through the 2027 NFL season, but he’s only the third coach the Steelers have had since 1969.

His predecessor, Bill Cowher, coached Pittsburgh for 15 seasons and led the team to a Super Bowl win. Before that, the Steelers were on Chuck Noll’s watch for 23 years in the franchise’s most glorious era, achieving four Super Bowl victories in that period.

Martín O’donnell

Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.