The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost four of their last six games, which also means they no longer have total control of a weak AFC North. They are now tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the division, with the Purple and Black having the edge via tiebreaker for now. Many fans have been getting very angry about the idea that the 2025 season will likely end the same way it has for the previous eight: a record above .500, but no playoff wins to make it worth anything.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on as his team loses another playoff game at the end of the 2024 season.
At this point, fans want accountability, and that showed throughout Gerry Dulac's weekly Q&A chat, with upset fans demanding anything but the routine season. One fan even asked if ownership would take some of the controls away from Head Coach Mike Tomlin if the season ends the same way. He responded with a hopeful answer for the fans.
"Something will definitely have to give," Dulac said. "How long can they tolerate watching the same ol' thing?"
Of course, the coordinators call the plays, but Tomlin dictates the scheme and gameplan for both sides of the ball. After the Steelers' Week 12 loss, everyone from fans, analysts, and even players took shots at the schematics of the team. It is very evident that something is concerning behind the scenes.
The ball was snapped on the 41
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 23, 2025
It’s 3rd and 5?!?! pic.twitter.com/dctD5DfzL5
Owner Art Rooney II has voiced his frustrations a number of times, and he has even been accused of enabling Tomlin's rough decisions. As they say, "actions speak louder than words," and the actions of ownership will show how he really feels. If the team president truly is frustrated, then Dulac is right: something will have to give. This seemingly endless cycle of mediocrity has to have an end at some point.
AP Photo
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
As reports have stated numerous times, Rooney will not fire Tomlin. At this point, that is entirely out of the question. However, it has become very clear that many of the problems on the team point directly to the head coach, and he has not been able to fix those problems on a consistent basis. That means ownership will have to step in and do something to try and steer this ship in the right direction for 2026 and beyond.
Steelers Seemingly Need Tomlin To Be Less Involved Like He Used To Be
One of those options, as the fan in Dulac's chat mentioned, is taking away Tomlin's control of the "scheme and philosophy." The best option might be to let the coordinators run what they want to do without the head coach meddling and restricting them. Many argue that X's and O's have never been Tomlin's strong suit.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands on the field and watches his team practice during a 2025 training camp workout at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
With Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin's contract expiring at the end of the 2025 campaign, odds are he will be let go after the season. What Tomlin truly needs is a strong mind that brings in an adaptable scheme to work with what the players want. That will help this expensive defense play up to its potential.
On the other side, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is recognized as one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL, and Tomlin is a defensive coach. That's why limiting him does not make much sense. If Smith wants to push the ball downfield and use the middle of the field as well, Tomlin should not step in and tell him no. Let the offensive coach run the offense. It's been said that avoiding the middle of the field limits turnovers, but how much is avoiding the middle of the field limiting the offense as a whole?
What do you think about Rooney possibly stepping in and taking control away from Tomlin? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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