Overview
- Team officials told all of Mike Tomlin’s assistants they are free to pursue other jobs and will only be retained at a new head coach’s discretion, with current contracts running through the end of February, per multiple reports.
- The Steelers have begun external interviews, including a reported virtual meeting today with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase as part of their head-coach search.
- Reports from The Athletic describe an emotional team meeting as Tomlin informed players he was stepping down, with Aaron Rodgers apologizing through tears and T.J. Watt visibly upset, while JJ Watt publicly questioned the leaking of those private reactions.
- Steelers president Art Rooney II said Rodgers signed to play for Tomlin and expects the coach’s departure to influence the quarterback’s pending retirement decision, which remains unannounced.
- Multiple outlets report Tomlin is not expected to coach another NFL team in 2026, and industry chatter points to early interest from television networks should he pursue broadcasting.