Aaron Rodgers’ Parting Message to Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin

Instead, the main character of the defeat became Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who stepped down on Tuesday after 19 seasons on the sidelines in Pittsburgh. He informed his players of the decision in a team meeting described by a staff member as a "funeral," according to The Athletic's Mike DeFabo.

DeFabo's report detailed the emotional reactions several players had to Tomlin's news. Star pass rusher T.J. Watt was in disbelief, saying "No!" over and over. Rodgers, who had only worked with Tomlin for a year but was one of his biggest defenders, could not hold back tears as he delivered his parting message to the Steelers coach.

"I'm sorry," Rodgers said to Tomlin, according to multiple players present in the meeting.

The Steelers quarterback did not want Tomlin to take the blame for the blowout playoff loss to the Texans, which was their sixth straight one-and-done in the playoffs. Rodgers made it clear that if he made the decisions, there would be no doubts about Tomlin's job security.

"Mike T. has had more success than damn near anybody in the league for the last 19, 20 years," Rodgers said after the Steelers' playoff exit. "When you have the right guy and the culture is right, you don't think about making a change, but there's a lot of pressure that comes from the outside, and obviously that sways decisions from time to time."

"But it's not how I would do things and not how the league used to be," Rodgers emphasized.

Tomlin is not expected to coach in 2026. Rodgers has not given any indications either way about his decision to return next season, but based on his parting message, Tomlin's exit brought out raw emotions from the former Super Bowl champion.