Steelers and Mike Tomlin officially cut ties after nearly two decades together following bombshell decision from the head coach
The time has come. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin have ended their nearly two-decade-long relationship.
The time has finally come. Mike Tomlin has informed his team that he will be stepping down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of the proudest teams in NFL history marches forward without its head man and Super Bowl champion for the first time in decades.
Now the focus is on what happens next in Pittsburgh. With Tomlin out of the picture, the franchise as we know it changes forever, and questions about the quarterback position, team philosophy, and the face of Pittsburgh begin to surface.
Mike Tomlin steps down after 19 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers
While it’s startling to see, the writing was on the wall. Watching Tomlin in his presser last night felt like the end of an era. Watching his starting quarterback answer questions about his future and constantly deferring to Tomlin felt like a sign of things to come.
Unfortunately, the last nine years featured no playoff wins. In their last seven playoff showings, the Steelers lost every game and were not competitive in most. Questions about a quarterback plan post Ben Roethlisberger have lingered and continue to linger for the franchise.
“Mike T has had more success than damn near anybody in the league for the last 19, 20 years,” Aaron Rodgers said in his postgame press conference on Monday. “And more than that, though, when you have the right guy and the culture is right, you don’t think about making a change.”
Sources told A to Z Sports that Pittsburgh’s brass never even thought of firing Tomlin. The decision was always going to be his own, and that’s what came to be in Pittsburgh. Now, for the first time in 20 years, the Steelers will embark on a head coaching search, as they look for the next face of the franchise.