Mike Tomlin steps down as Steelers coach, ending 19-year run

[Wiz Imp]

6. I doubt it. A reminder the Steelers have had just 3 coaches over the past 57 years

and none have been fired (Chuck Noll 23 years, Bill Cowher 15 years, Mike Tomlin 19 years). The Rooneys have been fiercely loyal to their coaches so I doubt they would have fired him under anything other than extreme circumstances. I believe this is true:

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, it doesn’t sound like this was a snap decision for Tomlin, as he had reportedly been considering leaving the team for several years.

“League sources heard that Mike Tomlin was contemplating leaving Pittsburgh even before the season started,” Anderson reported in a post on X. “There’s been a belief that Tomlin did not feel appreciated with contingents around the city believing he should (be) fired. ‘I would say this has been building gradually for the last 3 years,’ the source opined.”

https://sportsnetpittsburgh.com/2026/01/13/nfl-insider-truth-bomb-mike-tomlins-decision-leave-steelers/

Also note, since Tomlin was under contract for 2 more seasons, if another team wants to hire him during the next 2 years, they will have to negotiate compensation with the Steelers.