It reportedly would be 'major surprise' if Steelers make this Mike Tomlin decision

On Monday morning, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter stated that it would be "hard to imagine that the Pittsburgh Steelers would ever fire" head coach Mike Tomlin. During Pittsburgh's 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, which dropped the Steelers to 6-6, chants of "fire Tomlin" could be heard.

During an NFL Network appearance Monday evening, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport strongly indicated that Tomlin intends to stay with the Steelers beyond Week 18. 

Is Mike Tomlin thinking about leaving Steelers after 2025 season?

"If Mike Tomlin is not gonna be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026, which at this point would be a major, major surprise, it will be because he takes a step back and doesn't want to do that again," Rapoport explained, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "I don't see that coming at all. They have a lot of season left to go, and they're in the thick of it. But that is my understanding of the situation, despite what some fans may chant."

Some Steelers fans are frustrated that Tomlin hasn't led Pittsburgh to a playoff win since 2016. He has never had a losing season since becoming Pittsburgh's head coach in 2007, and he signed a three-year contract extension in June 2024 that reportedly pays him roughly $16M per year. 

Meanwhile, the Steelers have a long history of not firing head coaches. Since 1969, the organization has employed only three coaches.

As Rapoport noted, the 6-6 Steelers and 6-6 Baltimore Ravens ended Week 13 tied for the top spot in the AFC North standings. The Ravens will host the Steelers this Sunday, and those two teams will meet again at Pittsburgh's Acrisure Stadium in Week 18. 

Steelers, Mike Tomlin scenario called "completely ridiculous" 

"Even discussing firing Mike Tomlin is completely ridiculous," Rapoport added about the Steelers. "...Based on my understanding of the situation, let me lay it out for you. Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the NFL. If he ever became available, he'd be snatched up in literally a matter of no time if he wanted to. He's a Super Bowl champion. They make the playoffs every year...I don't see any circumstances where Mike Tomlin gets fired by [Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II]. I really just don't see it, based on my understanding of what he's done, that relationship, his meaning to the entire organization."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Steelers as 5.5-point road underdogs for the Week 14 matchup at the Ravens.