The hottest topic currently surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers (and perhaps the NFL at large) has been the future of Mike Tomlin as the team's head coach. Ever since "Fire Tomlin" chants rang out during their brutal 26-7 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bills, something has felt different about the usual frustrations that the fanbase has displayed toward the veteran coach.
After nearly a decade without even sniffing a playoff victory, calls for change are certainly warranted. Despite many in the media cautioning Steelers fans that the grass isn't always greener, the franchise has wallowed in mediocrity for an agonizingly long time. Even if things were to get worse with Tomlin not at the helm, maybe it's exactly what they need to break out of purgatory.
Still, it seems highly unlikely that Steelers ownership will outright fire him. However, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Saturday that a contract decision coming this offseason could foreshadow Tomlin's future with Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers could force Mike Tomlin to coach for his job in 2026
According to Schefter, the Steelers must decide on a team option on Tomlin's contract for 2027 this coming offseason. If they choose not to do so, they would be able to simply let him walk after 2026 instead of firing a head coach for the first time since 1968.
Fans who believe Tomlin deserves to be fired after this season may be frustrated by this idea, but it could make a lot of sense for the future of the team. Tomlin would get one more opportunity to finally break out of the slump Pittsburgh has been in for a decade, and the team would get to properly plan for his exit if he disappoints yet again.
There is a potential pitfall if the Steelers address quarterback early in the 2026 NFL draft, however.
Too often, young QBs are drafted as a last-ditch effort to save a coach's or general manager's job. If things don't work quickly, those inexperienced passers end up with a whole new coaching staff and front office that may have an entirely different opinion of both the roster and themselves.
With a weaker QB class than expected, however, Pittsburgh could look to go the veteran route once again in 2026, especially if Tomlin is coaching for his job. A mid-round QB pick could still be possible, but that wouldn't set the franchise back if it doesn't work out.
If the Steelers do end up picking up Tomlin's 2027 option, ownership's relationship with the fans could get ugly quickly. Things are tenuous enough as it is, and willingly signing up for two more years of Tomlin could be the final straw for even the most rabid fans.
No matter your opinion of what the Steelers should do, March 1st of next year is the date where we will see where ownership stands on Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh.