The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing for their future on Sunday night.
After not beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 to lock up their playoff spot, they have to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to win the AFC North. A loss would send the Steelers home.
Many are viewing this game as a referendum of sorts on Mike Tomlin, the long-time head coach.
But would the Steelers fire him?
“Not according to his contract or franchise precedent — or to the players in the locker room,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote this week.
A loss could start to send the Steelers in a changing direction, though.
“Tomlin, 53, has two years left on his contract: 2026 and a club option for 2027 set to be determined by March 1,” Pryor writes. “The Steelers have also had only three head coaches since 1969. But the external frustration is mounting.
Tomlin has had 19 consecutive non-losing seasons.
He has surpassed 200 career wins as an NFL head coach.
He has won 22 consecutive home Monday night games.
But the Steelers also haven’t won a playoff game in nearly a decade, and this would be a poor way to end the season if the postseason is missed entirely.
There will certainly be eyes on Tomlin going forward, no matter what happens on Sunday night.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing for their future on Sunday night.
After not beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 to lock up their playoff spot, they have to beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to win the AFC North. A loss would send the Steelers home.
Many are viewing this game as a referendum of sorts on Mike Tomlin, the long-time head coach.
But would the Steelers fire him?
“Not according to his contract or franchise precedent — or to the players in the locker room,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor wrote this week.
A loss could start to send the Steelers in a changing direction, though.
“Tomlin, 53, has two years left on his contract: 2026 and a club option for 2027 set to be determined by March 1,” Pryor writes. “The Steelers have also had only three head coaches since 1969. But the external frustration is mounting.
Tomlin has had 19 consecutive non-losing seasons.
He has surpassed 200 career wins as an NFL head coach.
He has won 22 consecutive home Monday night games.
But the Steelers also haven’t won a playoff game in nearly a decade, and this would be a poor way to end the season if the postseason is missed entirely.
There will certainly be eyes on Tomlin going forward, no matter what happens on Sunday night.
