After nearly two decades together, one of the most iconic quarterback-coach pairings in modern NFL history-Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin-might be nearing its symbolic end. And while Roethlisberger has long since hung up his cleats, he's now wondering if it’s time for Tomlin to do the same, at least when it comes to his tenure in Pittsburgh.
On his podcast, Roethlisberger opened up about a conversation that’s picking up steam in Pittsburgh: whether it’s time for the Steelers and Tomlin to part ways-not out of failure or frustration, but out of mutual respect and the recognition that sometimes, even great partnerships run their course.
“It’s being talked about around here a lot: Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time,” Roethlisberger said.
“I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin.
But maybe it’s best for him, too.”
That’s not a shot at Tomlin. Quite the opposite.
Big Ben went out of his way to praise his former coach, even floating the idea that Tomlin could thrive in a different environment-maybe even at the college level, where his energy and charisma could turn him into a recruiting powerhouse. “You know what he would do in Penn State?
He would probably go win national championships,” Roethlisberger said. “Because he’s a great recruiter.”
But Roethlisberger made it clear: this isn’t about firing Tomlin. It's about having an honest, grown-up conversation between a legendary coach and a franchise that values stability more than just about any organization in sports.
“Here’s what you don’t do: You don’t fire a guy like Coach Tomlin,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s a Hall of Fame head coach, he’s respected. What you do is you come to an understanding and agreement, and it’s like, ‘Hey, listen, I think it’s probably best for both of us.’”
And if anyone understands the Steelers’ culture, it’s Roethlisberger. He played his entire 18-year career in Pittsburgh, with the last 15 under Tomlin’s leadership.
He knows the organization’s DNA-how it values loyalty, consistency, and a steady hand at the top. Since 1969, the Steelers have had just three head coaches: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and now Tomlin, who’s been at the helm for 19 seasons.
That kind of longevity is unheard of in today’s NFL, where coaching turnover is often more frequent than playoff appearances. But Roethlisberger pointed out that even Pittsburgh’s legendary coaches eventually reached a point where it was time to move on.
“It happened with Chuck Noll, it happened with Coach Cowher,” he said. “Coach Tomlin’s been here a long time.
You’d give him a statue, whatever you’ve got to do, because he deserves it, he’s earned it. But it’s time to find that next guy.
Who’s that next guy that could be here for the next 20 years?”
Roethlisberger even brought up the example of Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles-a split that, at the time, seemed bittersweet but ultimately worked out for both sides. Since parting ways, Reid has built a dynasty in Kansas City, while the Eagles have captured a Super Bowl of their own.
“Andy Reid, when he got let go in Philadelphia . . . do you think he for one minute regrets it?” Roethlisberger said. “And now the Eagles have won since he left, and he’s won.”
The message here isn’t that Tomlin has lost his edge or that the Steelers are in disarray. It’s that even the strongest foundations sometimes need to be rebuilt-not because they’re crumbling, but because new growth needs room to take root.
Tomlin has given everything to the Steelers-and the results speak for themselves. But Roethlisberger’s comments reflect a larger truth that every team, even one as tradition-rich as Pittsburgh, eventually has to confront: the end of an era isn’t failure. Sometimes, it’s just the next step in the journey.
And maybe, just maybe, both Tomlin and the Steelers have more winning left in them-just not together.