Mike Tomlin’s decision to exit the Pittsburgh Steelers has led to debate about whether he would coach again next season or begin a broadcasting career. But according to Team President Art Rooney II, it might be neither.
Rooney told reporters in a press conference held Wednesday that Tomlin suggested he doesn’t currently have plans to coach in the near future.
“Mike indicated that he did not anticipate coaching, at least, you know, in the near future,” Rooney said. “I think he wants to spend time with his family and do some of the kinds of things that he hasn’t been able to do for the last many, many years.”
Rooney also mentioned Tomlin’s family earlier in the press conference.
“I’ll leave it to him to explain to you someday what all went into his decision,” Rooney said. “I think that, in my mind, and in the discussion we had, it was probably more of a family-related decision than a football-related decision.
“But, as I say, I don’t want to speak for Mike on that.”
Rooney announced in a press released posted on X that Tomlin told him in a private meeting Tuesday that he was resigning as Steelers head coach. Tomlin had two years remaining on his contract.
A day prior to that meeting, the Steelers lost their seventh consecutive playoff game 30-6. All of those losses happened under Tomlin.
But Tomlin experienced great postseason success early in Steelers tenure. Overall, he went 8-12 in the playoffs.
He also never posted a losing record in 19 seasons. Tomlin led the team to a 193-114-2 regular season record.
Art Rooney II Stated Mike Tomlin’s Decision Didn’t ‘Shock’ Him
Rooney made clear that Tomlin was not forced out or given any ultimatums on what he needed to do next season to keep his job. Rather, Rooney said he fully expected to meet with Tomlin on Tuesday to discuss what the organization needed to do to compete for a championship in 2026.
But interestingly, Rooney also said Tomlin’s decision to resign didn’t shock him. Toward the end of the press conference, Rooney elaborated on why.
“Just a sense. I’m not sure I can get into a lot of details on it,” Rooney told reporters. “But again, when you’re going into 18, 19 years of going into a career like this, he said it himself, he knows it’s not going to go forever. I think I knew, I think we all knew that we were getting toward the end.”
Tomlin said that a couple years ago before signing his last contract extension in June 2024.
Media speculation about Tomlin’s future reached a fever pitch in the spring of 2024 before that contract. The rumors about Tomlin heated up again this past fall and early winter.
In December, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 2027 season in Tomlin’s contract was a club option. Rooney declined to get into Tomlin’s deal and refused to answer whether the team was going to pick up that option.
But clearly, Rooney wanted Tomlin to return for 2026.
Rooney Throws Cold Water on ‘Fresh Start’ Narrative
One argument in the media for why the Tomlin era should end was that both the team and head coach could benefit from a fresh start.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported in November that a long-time league head coach was considering a change of scenery. On Tuesday, Anderson added on social media that head coach was Tomlin.
Time will tell if the Steelers improve under their next coaching regime. But neither the team nor Tomlin were in seek of a fresh start because of the team’s recent lack of playoff success.
When asked if Tomlin considered his postseason losing streak in his decision to resign, Rooney again referenced family.
“I can’t say. Again, I’ll leave it to Mike to kind of talk about what factored into his decision. I’ve already said, to me, it was more of a family decision than a football decision. So, I’ll leave it at that.”
The Steelers will be hiring just their fourth head coach since 1969. Including Tomlin, Pittsburgh’s last three head coaches were in their positions for at least 15 years.
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