The Steelers walked into Baltimore in Week 14 with their backs against the wall-and walked out with a season-saving win. Their 27-22 victory over the Ravens didn’t just snap a two-game skid, it put Pittsburgh back atop the AFC North at 7-6 and, at least for now, quieted the noise around Mike Tomlin’s job security.
That noise had grown loud just a week earlier. After a disheartening home loss to Buffalo in Week 13, Acrisure Stadium echoed with chants of “Fire Tomlin!”
from frustrated fans. For a franchise that’s prided itself on stability and consistency, it was a rare public outburst-and one that didn’t go unnoticed.
Tomlin, though, has never been one to flinch. When asked Tuesday if he felt like he was coaching for his job last week, he didn’t hesitate.
“Man, I’ve been on the hot seat for 19 years,” he said, deadpan as ever. That’s classic Tomlin-unbothered, unshaken, and laser-focused on the job at hand.
And when pressed on whether he felt he had something to prove to fans, his answer cut to the core of what makes him tick: “I always feel like I have something to prove. Not necessarily to anyone in particular, but that’s just the spirit in which I go about what I do professionally.”
That mindset has defined Tomlin’s tenure in Pittsburgh. Since taking over in 2007, he’s never had a losing season-not once. And while this year’s team has had its share of ups and downs, the Week 14 win was a reminder of the grit and resilience that’s become synonymous with Tomlin-led squads.
The Steelers are still very much in the playoff hunt, and with a massive Monday night matchup against the Dolphins looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But for now, the narrative has shifted. The calls for change have quieted, and the focus is back where it belongs-on football.
Tomlin remains under contract through at least the next two seasons, with a team option decision due by March 1, 2026. But if history is any indication, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. The Steelers are still punching, and so is their head coach.