What’s Really Going On in Pittsburgh? Ben Roethlisberger Suggests a Shocking Twist for Mike Tomlin
Things are getting loud in Pittsburgh-and not in the celebratory, “Here we go, Steelers!” kind of way.
After a deflating 26-7 loss to Buffalo that left fans chanting “Fire Tomlin” at Acrisure Stadium, the conversation around Mike Tomlin’s future with the Steelers has officially hit a new gear. And now, one of the franchise’s most iconic figures is adding fuel to the fire.
Ben Roethlisberger, the two-time Super Bowl champion who spent his entire 18-year career in Pittsburgh-15 of them under Tomlin-dropped a curveball this week on his “Footbahlin” podcast. While talking with guest Emmanuel Acho, Roethlisberger floated the idea that maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Tomlin to move on. And not just to another NFL team-Big Ben threw out the possibility of Tomlin heading to college football and becoming the next head coach at Penn State.
“Maybe it is time to clean the house,” Roethlisberger said. “I have a lot of respect for coach Tomlin, but maybe it’s best for him too.
Maybe a fresh start for him is what is best. Whether that is in the pros [or] go be Penn State’s head coach.
Do you know what he would do at Penn State? He would probably go win national championships because he is a great recruiter.”
It’s a bold suggestion, no doubt. Tomlin has never coached at the college level and has repeatedly brushed off the idea of doing so.
Back in 2021, when asked about potential interest in college jobs, Tomlin made it clear: “I’ve got one of the best jobs in all of professional sport. Why would I have any interest in coaching college football?
… Never say never, but never.”
Still, Roethlisberger’s comments come at a time when the Steelers are facing their most serious questions in years. Tomlin’s record speaks for itself-189-113-2 including playoffs, and he’s the owner of the NFL’s longest active streak without a losing season.
That kind of consistency is rare. But the current version of the Steelers is teetering.
At 7-7 and slipping out of the playoff picture, Pittsburgh is staring down the possibility of its first sub-.500 finish under Tomlin.
Emmanuel Acho didn’t hold back either, agreeing that it might be time for a change.
“Tomlin, he has to go because he’s not going to win another Super Bowl in Pittsburgh,” Acho said. “It’s been a long time since he even sniffed the Super Bowl.”
That’s the heart of the issue. Tomlin’s teams have remained competitive year in and year out, but the postseason success hasn’t followed.
Since the Steelers’ last Super Bowl appearance in the 2010 season, Pittsburgh has just three playoff wins. For a franchise with six Lombardis in the trophy case, that starts to feel like a drought.
Still, the idea of Tomlin in Happy Valley feels far-fetched. He’s only in the second year of a three-year extension signed in 2024, and he’s shown no public interest in leaving the NFL, let alone jumping to the college ranks. The timing and logistics of such a move would be unprecedented.
But Roethlisberger’s comments reflect a broader sentiment that’s been simmering in Pittsburgh. After nearly two decades with the same head coach, fans are beginning to wonder if the voice in the locker room has grown stale.
That doesn’t mean Tomlin’s legacy is in question-he’s a future Hall of Famer, no doubt-but the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league. And lately, the Steelers haven’t looked like contenders.
The next chapter could start as soon as this weekend. Pittsburgh heads to Baltimore with first place in the AFC North potentially on the line.
It’s a massive game, and a win could quiet the noise-at least for a little while. But if the Steelers continue to slide, the questions won’t stop.
And neither, apparently, will the wild suggestions.