Just last year, Mike Tomlin became the longest-tenured head coach of the four major United States professional sports leagues when San Antonio Spurs longtime coach Gregg Popovich retired.
Now Tomlin could be on the way out, too. The head coach hasn’t won a playoff game since defeating an Alex Smith-led Kansas City Chiefs team in the divisional round of the 2016 playoffs.
In recent weeks fans have called for Tomlin’s job, with former Steelers star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger playing into the looming decision as well. “Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time,” Roethlisberger said on his “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast. “I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin, but maybe it’s best for him, too.”
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Tomlin is preparing for a regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens with the AFC North title on the line. The winner will host a playoff game while the loser could have a completely different head coach and coaching staff next season as the futures of Tomlin and John Harbaugh continue to dominate the headlines.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport suggested neither head coach is in danger of being fired, but Tomlin could opt to leave for a new role.
“As far as Tomlin goes, he will not be fired – one of the best and most respected head coaches in the NFL,” Rapoport started. “There is a possibility, though, that he decides to step away and say, ‘you know what? I’ve been doing it for long enough, I’ve been killing it for long enough,’ and step back – do some TV and maybe reassess his coaching future at another date.”
Pittsburgh hosts Baltimore at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday night. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Newsweek