Does Steelers offseason indicate possible end of Mike Tomlin era is near?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of an interesting offseason.

It has featured parting ways with quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, giving wide receiver DK Metcalf a five-year contract worth $150M as part of acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks and seemingly hoping to be picked as a landing spot for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. 

During Tuesday's edition of his "Pro Football Talk Live" program, NFL insider Mike Florio speculated that Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin understands the fact that he hasn't recorded a single playoff win since the 2016 season is now unacceptable in the eyes of team owner and president Art Rooney II.

"It just feels like we're getting close to something happening between Tomlin and the Steelers if they can't win a playoff game," Florio explained, as shared by Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot. "Whether that's Art Rooney reaches the end of his rope and breaks from the tradition of three coaches (since 1969)...or whether it's Tomlin saying, 'I need a fresh start. I need to go somewhere else.' It just feels like we're getting closer to 'boom.'"

Tomlin received a three-year contract extension last offseason, and history shows the Steelers likely wouldn't fire him even if he posted a losing season for the first time since he started his Pittsburgh tenure in 2007. However, some former Steelers players and analysts suggested this past January that Tomlin embracing "a new start" could benefit both the 53-year-old and his current employer. 

Of course, it is far too early to guess where Tomlin could go if he and the Steelers broke up in January 2026. The New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns are three clubs with coaches allegedly on the hot seat. 

Back in February, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic named Tomlin as a candidate "to be the next $100M NFL TV analyst...because of his way of succinctly making thoughtful points during press conferences and other media availabilities."

Then again, a combination of Tomlin and Rodgers could guide the 2025 Steelers to at least one postseason victory en route to putting chatter about the coach's future to bed through all of next year. Considering Tomlin "makes most of the decisions in Pittsburgh" regarding roster moves, it's fair to wonder how Rooney would react if the Steelers endured an awful campaign with either Rodgers or a different player serving as their QB1.