Things Are Looking Strange in Pittsburgh

The situation in Pittsburgh seems to be taking some unexpected turns lately.

Ben Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl quarterback, recently expressed support for the Steelers possibly parting ways with head coach Mike Tomlin during an episode of his podcast, “Footballin’,” with guest Emmanuel Acho.

“There’s been a lot of chatter about it here. Maybe it’s time to make a change. I have a great deal of respect for Coach Tomlin, but perhaps this is what’s best for him,” Roethlisberger, who spent 15 seasons playing under Tomlin before retiring in 2021, mentioned.

“A fresh start might be the best path for him, whether in the NFL or even taking the head coaching role at Penn State. You know, he’s a fantastic recruiter—he’d likely succeed there,” he added.

Tomlin boasts a record of 183-107-2 as the Steelers’ head coach and, notably, led Roethlisberger to victory in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.

This discussion arose following Acho’s comments, where he urged the Steelers to move on from Tomlin, asserting, “He’s not going to win another Super Bowl in Pittsburgh, so it’s time for him to go.” He also noted that the last time Tomlin appeared in a Super Bowl was back in 2011, when the Steelers lost to the Packers—a significant gap for a franchise often associated with success.

Tomlin has an 8-11 record in the playoffs, which isn’t great, and as a fan of the Steelers myself, it hurt to see the crowd chant “Fire Tomlin” during their recent 26-7 loss to the Bills, significantly dampening their playoff hopes.

However, Roethlisberger’s suggestion that Tomlin could transition to a college position might seem a bit far-fetched. Tomlin, who is currently in the second year of a contract extension signed in 2024, has previously dismissed the notion of leaving for a college job.

In fact, he once quipped, “I have one of the best jobs in professional sports, so why would I consider coaching in college?” He even humorously remarked, “Never say never…but…never,” before adding that no boosters around could offer enough incentive.

Now sitting at a 6-6 record, the Steelers are facing a challenging season, the first time in Tomlin’s 18 years that their record is below .500 and risking their playoff chances. They’ll need to bring their A-game this Sunday against the Ravens, which is crucial for maintaining their position in the AFC North.