The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at 6-6 after a tough 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills, and some of the frustration in the fanbase boiled over on Sunday with chants of “Fire Tomlin” echoing through Acrisure Stadium. But according to multiple league insiders, the idea of Mike Tomlin being on the hot seat isn’t just far-fetched-it’s borderline absurd.
Let’s cut through the noise. Mike Tomlin has been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007.
In that time, he’s never had a losing season. That’s 17 straight years of at least .500 football in a league built for parity.
And while it’s true that Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, Tomlin’s résumé still stands among the best in the NFL. He’s a Super Bowl champion, a consistent postseason presence, and a leader who commands respect inside and outside the locker room.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport made it clear Monday night that Tomlin isn’t planning on going anywhere, and the organization isn’t looking to push him out either. “If Mike Tomlin is not gonna be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026, which at this point would be a major, major surprise, it will be because he takes a step back and doesn’t want to do that again,” Rapoport said. “I don’t see that coming at all.”
That echoes what ESPN’s Adam Schefter said earlier in the day, noting that it’s “hard to imagine” the Steelers ever firing Tomlin. And that’s not just lip service.
The Steelers extended Tomlin’s contract in June 2024, locking him in for three more seasons at a reported $16 million per year. That’s not the kind of investment a franchise makes in someone they’re unsure about.
Yes, the playoff drought is real. And yes, this year’s team has been inconsistent.
But even at 6-6, Pittsburgh is still very much in the thick of the AFC North race. They’re tied with the Ravens atop the division heading into Week 14, and they’ll face Baltimore twice down the stretch-including this Sunday on the road and again in the regular-season finale at home.
There’s still a lot of football left to play, and the Steelers control their own destiny.
Rapoport didn’t mince words when addressing the chatter around Tomlin’s job security. “Even discussing firing Mike Tomlin is completely ridiculous,” he said.
“Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the NFL. If he ever became available, he’d be snatched up in literally a matter of no time.
He’s a Super Bowl champion. They make the playoffs every year...
I don’t see any circumstances where Mike Tomlin gets fired by Art Rooney II.”
That last point is important. The relationship between Tomlin and Steelers ownership, particularly with team president Art Rooney II, is strong and built on trust, stability, and a shared vision.
This isn’t a franchise that makes rash decisions. The Steelers have had just three head coaches since 1969.
That’s not just rare-it’s unheard of in today’s NFL.
So while the “Fire Tomlin” chants might make headlines, they don’t reflect the reality inside the organization. Tomlin’s job is safe.
His legacy in Pittsburgh is secure. And with four games left in the regular season-including two against their biggest divisional rival-the Steelers still have everything to play for.
They’ll head to Baltimore this week as 5.5-point underdogs, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. But if history has taught us anything, it’s this: betting against a Mike Tomlin team when their backs are against the wall is a risky move.