With the AFC North hanging in the balance, Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into a critical matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s a game that could shape not just the division standings, but the Steelers’ postseason hopes-and maybe even the tone surrounding Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh.
Coming off a tough 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers are sitting at 6-6. That result didn’t just sting on the scoreboard-it echoed through Acrisure Stadium in the form of “Fire Tomlin” chants, a rare and telling moment in Tomlin’s 17-year tenure. For a coach who’s never posted a losing season, this kind of public backlash is uncharted territory.
Inside the Pressure Cooker
NFL insider Tom Pelissero weighed in on the situation during a Friday appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, offering a broader perspective on where things stand.
“They’re tied for first place in the AFC North,” Pelissero noted. “Yes, they’ve lost five of their last seven, but they still have two games left against the team they’re tied with. Let’s see how these next five weeks unfold.”
He’s not wrong. Despite the recent slide, the Steelers are still in the thick of the playoff race.
That’s the paradox of this team-they’ve been inconsistent, frustrating, and at times flat-out inefficient, but they’re still alive. And in a division as competitive as the AFC North, that’s saying something.
Pelissero also pointed out a recurring theme: this isn’t the first December where questions have swirled around Tomlin’s job security. But this time, the noise is louder.
The chants, the criticism, the frustration-it’s all more visceral now. Still, Pelissero emphasized that the perception of Tomlin locally doesn’t always match how he’s viewed across the league.
“He’s obviously got the streak of never finishing below .500,” Pelissero said. “But he hasn’t won a playoff game since the Obama administration.”
That stat is hard to ignore. Tomlin’s regular-season consistency has been remarkable, but the postseason drought is starting to weigh heavier. Steelers fans are passionate, and in Pittsburgh, playoff wins are the currency of legacy.
Where Ownership Stands
According to Pelissero, the Steelers’ ownership-specifically Art Rooney-evaluates coaches based on two key factors: belief in the coach’s leadership, and whether the coach still has control of the locker room.
Right now, Pelissero believes Tomlin checks both boxes.
There’s been no indication that Rooney is considering a coaching change. And for all the outside noise, there’s still a strong sense that Tomlin commands respect inside the building. His players haven’t quit on him, and that still matters.
Tomlin Responds to the Noise
After the loss to Buffalo, Tomlin didn’t shy away from the criticism. When asked about the chants and the growing frustration, he owned it.
“I share their frustration tonight,” Tomlin said. “We didn’t do enough. That’s just the reality of it.”
That’s vintage Tomlin-direct, accountable, and unflinching. He doubled down on Tuesday, telling reporters he agrees with the fans’ sentiment.
In his words, if you root for the Steelers, “entertaining them is winning.” And when you’re not winning, it’s not entertaining.
It’s a simple truth in a football town like Pittsburgh. The standard is the standard, as Tomlin himself often says. And right now, they’re not meeting it.
The Road Ahead
The Steelers’ final stretch is a mixed bag. They’ll face two struggling teams in the Browns and Dolphins, but it’s the matchups with the Lions and Ravens that will likely define their season. Those are the games that will test their mettle-and determine whether this team is playoff-bound or left on the outside looking in.
Sunday’s clash with Baltimore isn’t just another game. It’s a statement opportunity.
A win would silence some of the noise, reclaim momentum, and put the Steelers back in the driver’s seat in the AFC North. A loss?
It could amplify the pressure and deepen the questions around Tomlin’s future.
For now, though, Tomlin remains at the helm, steering a team that’s still very much in the hunt. The path won’t be easy, but if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s this: never count out a Mike Tomlin team in December.