Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have made their frustrations known by booing Renegade, as well as chanting "Fire [Mike] Tomlin" as a collective at Acrisure Stadium for the first time ever. With every passing day, more information comes out about how Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been more of a detriment to the team than that amazing no-nonsense head coach that everyone has been led to believe. It feels like ownership is approaching a crossroads in the upcoming 2026 offseason with how bad everything is going currently.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin prior to a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
However, there is still a nationwide belief that Owner Art Rooney II is still satisfied with the performance of his head coach. While making an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, NFL Insider Tom Pelissero explained what is most likely going through the head of ownership at this point.
"I don’t anticipate Art Rooney [II] is going to come to the conclusion that the Mike Tomlin era has run its course," Pelissero said.
Rooney has been known as a man that does not like making many changes. When it comes to his team, he is very conservative on the way he does things, and fans are upset that he is not more progressive. The two Super Bowl eras were great, but times change, and the same formula that led to those title runs does not work in the 2020s. The whole team needs to look forward as opposed to backwards, and it starts with the man up top.
Keith Srakocic / AP
Steelers' Art Rooney II looks on while roaming the field in Pittsburgh.
However, there is also belief that Rooney is just content with making money while being frustrated at the fans for demanding change, as opposed to being frustrated with the lack of postseason success in recent years under Tomlin. If that's the case, then the rumors of the head coach having a lifetime contract with the Steelers is true. He's loyal and very like-able as a person, so why would ownership ever want to fire him?
At very least, if Tomlin is Pittsburgh's head coach for 2026 and beyond, Rooney may have to step in and take powers away from him for his own good. He certainly has the ability to be an elite head coach, but like with ownership, stubbornness is holding him back, which won't let the team reach its true potential. The Steelers will continue to suffer in mediocrity until real changes are made. Shuffling coaches and players might not be enough.
Once the top individuals in the organization are willing to have these tough conversations and look within to try and build the team up, then the Steelers could go back to winning games like they have in previous decades. Tomlin can go back to being an elite coach beloved by all. Rooney's reputation could even be somewhat repaired if all that happens. The question here is simple: are all parties involved ready to do what they need to do?
AP Photo
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
The very first thing that will indicate that both sides are ready for change will be the coaching cycle. The contract of Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin will expire at season's end, and expectations are he will be let go. If the Steelers hire a true coordinator with his own system and give him the keys to the defense, there will be reason for hope. If someone like Gerald Alexander is promoted, then expectations for the 2026 season will be the same as the previous eight.
Steelers Players Demand Change
There are numerous players for the Steelers — past and present — that have publicly spoken about what they want from the coaching staff, even though it hasn't happened yet. When defensive quarterback Patrick Queen is throwing Tomlin under the bus for his poor schematics, there are major issues. If Tomlin does not change, these issues will be brought to the public more often.
What do you think about Rooney having no desire to fire Tomlin? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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