Tag: Tomlin

Art Rooney II, Steelers begin first coaching search since 2007

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II had a feeling Mike Tomlin was ready to step aside in the near future, but he didn’t expect him to leave the post this week.

After 19 seasons, Tomlin resigned on Tuesday to open a new chapter for the organization and give up his run as the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach.

Rooney said he met with Tomlin after the Steelers lost at home in the wild-card round to the Houston Texans and immediately sensed Tomlin had made up his mind to step down. Rooney said he didn’t try to change Tomlin’s mind. It was evident Tomlin was resolute and didn’t come by the decision lightly.

“He was pretty clear about what his intentions were,” Rooney said.

“He said it himself: he knows it’s not gonna go forever. I think we all knew we were getting towards the end.”

None of Tomlin’s assistants are candidates to be promoted to head coach, Rooney said, and he anticipates there will be personnel changes because of Tomlin’s magnetic personality. For one, he believes Aaron Rodgers largely came to the franchise to partner with Tomlin.

“I mean, look, Aaron came here to play for Mike. So that will most likely affect his decision,” Rooney said.

The wild-card loss this week was the fifth in a row for the Steelers. Pittsburgh also dropped wild-card games in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Tomlin, 53, indicated to Rooney that coaching was not on his immediate radar and he’s likely to step away for a full season.

There are several parts of the tradition Tomlin continued from previous coach Bill Cowher almost two decades ago that Rooney wants to maintain.

Pittsburgh’s last losing season was a 6-10 campaign in 2003. Hired in 2007, Tomlin won the Super Bowl at age 36 in his second season, never had a losing record and in 2025 the Steelers won the AFC North for the eighth time on his watch.

There is no decision for Rooney on whether the franchise could consider a rebuilding year to restock and settle the revolving door at quarterback. If the 42-year-old Rodgers retires or moves on, the Steelers are looking at a new QB1 for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Kenny Pickett (2022, 2023) is the only carryover starter the franchise has had since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

“I’m sure the quarterback position will be an important part of this discussion with the candidates. We will have to develop a plan for going forward,” Rooney said.

Like Cowher (1992-2006) and Chuck Noll before him, Tomlin had no head-coaching experience when he was hired away from his role as defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings. Cowher was defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs before coming to Pittsburgh. Noll has defensive coordinator of the then-Baltimore Colts prior to helping build the Steelers’ dynasty with four Super Bowl wins as coach from 1969-91.

Rooney hasn’t ruled out bringing in a coach with experience. He said mostly he’s determined to put a winner on the field again in 2026.

“I’m not sure why you’d waste a year of your life not trying to contend,” Rooney said.

–Field Level Media

Mike Tomlin: Steelers WR DK Metcalf on track for MNF

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is expected to play Monday night after spending Sunday night in Baltimore due to stomach pains.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Metcalf is “moving in the right direction” toward suiting up for the crucial Week 15 matchup against the visiting Miami Dolphins (6-7).

Metcalf, who will turn 28 on Sunday, rejoined the team in Pittsburgh on Monday after going to a Baltimore hospital and staying in a hotel overnight following the Steelers’ 27-22 win over the Ravens.

“I don’t think it’s going to jeopardize his availability at all, but it certainly may jeopardize his availability at the early portions of the week from a practice standpoint,” Tomlin said about Metcalf’s hospital stay. “Thankfully he’s fine. I’m appreciative of our medical staff and how quickly they acted and making sure that he was safe and taking care of him postgame.”

Tomlin cited an in-game hit that caused Metcalf to begin experiencing stomach pains, which worsened to the point the veteran receiver was removed from the team plane in Baltimore by medical personnel.

“He got hit in the abdomen or stomach in-game,” Tomlin said. “I think they gave him some basic over-the-counter remedies in-game like Pepto or something like that and it got probably progressively worse after the game, so I’m appreciative of our medical experts. We just exercised an abundance of caution. We didn’t want to get him in the air without having a complete understanding about what he was dealing with, and they did a good job of that.”

A seven-year veteran in his first season with Pittsburgh (7-6), Metcalf posted a season-high 148 yards on seven receptions Sunday. In 13 games this season, he has 52 receptions for 753 yards and five touchdowns along with two rushes for 12 yards and a score. A second-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 draft, Metcalf has tallied 490 catches for 7,077 yards and 53 scores.

In other Steelers injury news, offensive tackle Andrus Peat, linebacker Malik Harrison and tight end Darnell Washington are in concussion protocol. Tomlin said defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (ankle) and cornerback James Pierre (calf) might be limited in practice after suffering injuries Sunday.

Safety Kyle Dugger, who missed Sunday’s game with a hand injury, might suit up Monday, Tomlin said. Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee), a first-round pick in 2025, has missed the last two games, and his status for Monday is up in the air.

The banged-up Steelers were given Wednesday off by Tomlin and will practice Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Ben Roethlisberger: Might be time for Steelers, Mike Tomlin to part ways

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that it could be time for coach Mike Tomlin to depart Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger stated on his podcast that Tomlin would be better off with a new job and the Steelers just might benefit with a new head coach.

Tomlin is in his 19th season as Pittsburgh coach. Roethlisberger was the quarterback for 15 of those seasons and played his entire 18-year career with the Steelers.

Roethlisberger even suggested the Penn State college coaching vacancy as something that might fit Tomlin, who has a record of 189-113-2 (.625) as a head coach, 8-11 in the postseason, including the Super Bowl title in 2008.

“It’s being talked about around here a lot: Maybe it’s a clean-house time. Maybe it’s time,” Roethlisberger said. “I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin. But maybe it’s best for him, too. Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best. Whether that’s in the pros, maybe go be Penn State’s head coach. You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships. Because he’s a great recruiter.”

The Steelers (6-6) have lost five of their last seven games after a 4-1 start despite having four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. Pittsburgh is tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers visit Baltimore on Sunday.

Roethlisberger said he doesn’t want to see Pittsburgh fire Tomlin. He feels it’s best to seek a split where both sides can start over.

“Here’s what you don’t do: You don’t fire a guy like Coach Tomlin,” Roethlisberger said. “He’s a Hall of Fame head coach, he’s respected. What you do is you come to an understanding and agreement, and it’s like, ‘Hey, listen, I think it’s probably best for both of us.’”

The Steelers have dropped six straight playoff games, starting with a loss to the New England Patriots in the 2016 season AFC Championship Game.

A 13-win Pittsburgh team was upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the following’s season divisional round and the Steelers have gone down in the wild-card round on four occasions, including last season’s 28-14 loss to the Ravens with Russell Wilson as quarterback.

Roethlisberger pointed out the Steelers have seen longstanding coaches go before. Chuck Noll was on the job for 23 seasons before Bill Cowher spent 15 seasons in Pittsburgh prior to Tomlin.

“You go, ‘Hey, coach, listen, it’s probably best for all parties involved, let’s start over.’ It happened with Chuck Noll, it happened with Coach Cowher,” Roethlisberger said. “Coach Tomlin’s been here a long time. You’d give him a statue, whatever you’ve got to do, because he deserves it, he’s earned it. But it’s time to find that next guy. Who’s that next guy that could be here for the next 20 years?”

Roethlisberger mentioned how the Philadelphia Eagles faced a similar fork with Andy Reid as coach. The two parted ways after the 2012 season after 14 seasons and no Super Bowl titles.

The Eagles have since won two crowns and Reid has won three as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I think he might say it’s time for a fresh start,” Roethlisberger said of Tomlin. “Andy Reid, when he got let go in Philadelphia … do you think he for one minute regrets it? And now the Eagles have won since he left, and he’s won.”

The Steelers last won the Super Bowl in the 2008 season when Roethlisberger was quarterback and Tomlin was in his second campaign as head coach. Roethlisberger also won the Super Bowl in the 2005 season when Cowher was head coach.

Roethlisberger passed for 64,088 yards, 418 touchdowns and 211 interceptions in 249 games (247 starts) with Pittsburgh. He stands sixth in career passing yards, eighth in career touchdown passes and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media

Steelers contemplate QB Aaron Rodgers playing with fractured wrist

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A small break in Aaron Rodgers left wrist is not necessarily enough to force a break in his season, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed on Tuesday.

Rodgers asked to return to Sunday’s 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals despite a fracture in his left wrist and is leading the push for play this week as Pittsburgh takes on the Bears (6-4) in Chicago.

“Really, it’s just about bracing and securing it for his comfort and safety. And then, it’s about how functional he is,” Tomlin said, calling Rodgers’ status for Week 12 “to be determined.”

It’s understandable Rodgers might like to push his way into a 30th career game against the Bears. He’s 24-5 all-time with 64 touchdowns and 10 interceptions playing the Bears from 2008-22 with the Green Bay Packers.

With no true deadline to determine Rodgers’ readiness, Tomlin said he plans to follow team and league norms by withholding judgment on his plan for the game until after Friday’s practice.

Mason Rudolph relieved Rodgers against the Bengals and completed 12 of 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.

“We’ll see where the week leads us and we’ll take it day by day,” Tomlin said.

The Steelers (6-4) maintain a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (5-5) in the division. The AFC North rivals meet twice in the final five regular-season games: Dec. 7 at Baltimore and the first weekend in January at Pittsburgh.

–Field Level Media

Mike Tomlin: No ‘off night’ but Steelers have no ‘long-term concerns’ about Rodgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Sunday night was the first time this season Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked his age for an entire four-quarter game and the result for Pittsburgh was predictable.

The AFC North-leading Steelers lost 25-10 and moved back to the pack in the division at 5-4. Rodgers was intercepted twice, completed a season-low 51.6 % of his passes and averaged only 5.19 yards per attempt, another 2025 personal-worst.

“Sunday night was what it was, but I have no long-term reservations about his ability to play the position and play the position at a high level for us,” Tomlin said Tuesday of the notion Rodgers had one bad night. “I’m not going to chalk it up to an off night, but there are no long-term concerns.”

Short-term concerns about protecting the division lead are percolating.

Pittsburgh plays the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills and rival Ravens in Baltimore the next four games.

Last season, the Steelers were 8-3 on Nov. 21 and finished the season 10-7 to sneak into the playoffs. The regular season ended with four consecutive losses in which Pittsburgh was held to 17 or fewer points. The Ravens ended their season with a 28-14 wild-card playoff win.

The challenge for Tomlin was to find the offensive combination that could help relieve pressure from Pittsburgh’s defense. Enter Rodgers and No. 1 wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, acquired in the offseason from the Seattle Seahawks.

Metcalf has five TD catches and 32 receptions for 502 yards. When teams erase Metcalf — he has five receptions for 41 yards combined in the past two games — the Steelers aren’t consistently showing a counter punch.

Fans are clamoring for a heavier workload from running back Jaylen Warren.

Among other missing ingredients evident in Los Angeles on Sunday night was third-down offense. Pittsburgh has converted on seven times on third down in 33 chances over the past three games.

“We win third downs, we’ll get Jaylen (Warren) more touches,” Tomlin said. “It’s as simple as that. Jaylen was having the trajectory of a good day in L.A. But we didn’t convert enough third downs for you to really, really feel it.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin look on from the sidelines during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sticking with embattled DC Teryl Austin

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Head coach Mike Tomlin understands criticism directed at Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin in the midst of a two-game losing streak during which the Bengals and Packers combined for 68 points and six touchdown passes.

The Steelers (4-3) are holding onto first place in the AFC North entering November but far off on Tomlin’s own preseason expectations for a defense capable of “historic things.”

“I’ve known Teryl a long time,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “He’s very capable. He’s very thorough. I’ve largely been pleased with his work, but certainly he and I are not pleased with where we are right now from a defensive unit perspective, and so we’re just going to keep working.”

Tomlin said replacing Austin as the down-to-down defensive playcaller is “not on the table as we sit here today,” but the NFL’s top-ranked offense is on the schedule Sunday. Indianapolis (7-1) would be the No. 1 seed in the AFC if the playoffs began this week and averages 33.8 points and 385.3 yards per game, both tops in the league.

They have a net-TD total of 14, meaning they’ve been in the end zone 14 more times than their opponents in the first eight games of the season. Indianapolis leads the NFL with a scoring margin of 116.

Pittsburgh has scored and allowed the exact same number of points (175).

The Steelers were 5-2 at this point in the 2024 season. One of those losses was a 27-24 defeat at Indianapolis. Running back Jonathan Taylor had 108 total yards, including 88 rushing yards and a touchdown.

But since then, both teams have new quarterbacks — Aaron Rodgers for the Steelers and Daniel Jones with the Colts — and different outlooks. The Colts are 6-0 against the AFC and lead second-place Jacksonville (4-3) in the AFC South by three in the win column.

Tomlin said the Steelers will make “no excuses” for not meeting expectations while emphasizing he believes Pittsburgh can change the narrative.

“Our job is to perform at a high level, and we haven’t done that,” he said. “Seven games or whatever doesn’t make a season. We certainly got more in front of us and more opportunities to write our story, whether it’s individuals, whether it’s a component of our team or whether it’s our team in general. I think that’s our general mindset.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) shakes hands with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) after their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin questions wisdom behind Browns’ QB decisions

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Mike Tomlin has no words to explain his surprise that Joe Flacco is on the schedule with a second AFC North team on Thursday night.

The Steelers (4-1) beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday with rookie Dillon Gabriel in the starting role that belonged to Flacco until two weeks ago. Now Flacco is the QB1 for the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4), who pried Flacco from Cleveland in a rare intradivision trade last week.

Tomlin was puzzled by Browns general manager Andrew Berry reversing course from Flacco starting the season as the No. 1 quarterback to trading him to the Bengals a month later.

“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” Tomlin said. “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us. Because it doesn’t make sense to me to trade a quarterback you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area. But that’s just my personal feelings.”

Thursday gives Tomlin the chance to face Flacco as a starting quarterback again. Flacco is 11-11 in his career against the Steelers, including 21 games with the Baltimore Ravens. The 22nd game of his career against Pittsburgh was Sept. 29 last season, when, as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he relieved injured Anthony Richardson after only four pass attempts.

With Cleveland, Flacco was benched with a league-leading nine turnovers through four games in 2025.

The Bengals were looking for a solution with Joe Burrow (toe) sidelined since Week 1 and backup Jake Browning under fire after three consecutive losses. He had eight interceptions in four games this season.

Flacco had two touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first start with Cincinnati on Sunday at Green Bay, a 27-18 loss. He completed 64.4% of his passes for 219 yards.

–Field Level Media

Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (99), Pittsburgh's first-round pick in 2025, could debut Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Travis Register-Imagn Images

Steelers LB Alex Highsmith out, DT Derrick Harmon might debut

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith is out for Week 3 with an ankle injury but should avoid a longer absence necessitating an injured reserve stint.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that Highsmith “can be classified as out” with a sprained ankle. He was injured Sunday in Pittsburgh’s 31-17 loss to the Seahawks and won’t be on the field this week at New England.

The Steelers are waiting to see rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon on the practice field before determining his status. A defensive tackle at Oregon, Harmon can play multiple spots on the 3-4 front but missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury. His debut this week would be a timely return as the Steelers (1-1) already ruled defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk out with a high-ankle sprain.

Linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) and defensive back Darius Slay (shoulder) are dealing with injuries but likely to play, Tomlin said. Safety DeShon Elliott (knee) and cornerback Joey Porter (hamstring) are questionable.

Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson wasn’t ruled out, but Tomlin indicated he was demoted from the kickoff return role. Johnson did not field a kickoff that bounced in front of him in Sunday’s loss, which resulted in a Seahawks recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.

Kenneth Gainwell filled the role after Johnson’s error, and Tomlin said it’s no longer Johnson’s job.

“Probably not in the short term,” Tomlin said. “I’m certainly going to give him an opportunity to work his way back. I believe in his talent, he’s a sharp young man, he’s a hard worker. You leave a light on for him to give him an opportunity to move on from it. But he has to do that, he has to display that with his daily work, and he’s gotta earn himself back into position to be a participant.”

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks along the sideline with a head set during the first half of the first preseason game where the Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday Aug. 9, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Not ‘real football,’ Aaron Rodgers to sit preseason with most Steelers’ starters

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers is out for the Steelers this week, all according to the plan in Pittsburgh, with Mason Rudolph slated to start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.

Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive end Cam Heyward are among the first-team stars who’ll be in street clothes for the Steelers’ second game of the preseason.

Rudolph rejoined the Steelers after one season with the Tennessee Titans and spent most of the offseason operating the starting offense.

Rodgers, who was released by the New York Jets, said he was willing to play if the coaches prefer. But head coach Mike Tomlin said earlier in camp he was not planning to use Rodgers because of his “21 years (experience) and cumulative snap total” in his career.

“If (Tomlin) wants me to play, I’ll play. If not, then I won’t,” Rodgers said. “Preseason football is not necessarily real football, because defenses don’t really do a lot.”

Rodgers, 41, did not play last preseason with the Jets. He completed 5 of 8 passes in his first preseason in New York (2023), his only preseason action since he completed 2 of 4 passes with one TD for the Packers in the 2018 exhibition stretch.

The Steelers beat Jacksonville 31-25 in their preseason opener last week and used Skylar Thompson in relief of Rudolph with Rodgers sporting a jacket and headset on the sideline.

Thompson threw three touchdown passes and completed 20 of 28 attempts for 233 yards.

–Field Level Media

Aug 9, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Steelers’ Tomlin says Aaron Rodgers (calf) fine after practice misstep

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Aaron Rodgers is feeling old, as his longevity in the NFL has surpassed that of his preferred helmet model. But any concerns over his 41-year-old body taking another hit Tuesday were quickly put to rest.

Rodgers needed his calf wrapped after he was stepped on during the final practice of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, but coach Mike Tomlin was unconcerned after Rodgers was able to finish practice.

Rookie Derrick Harmon bull-rushed an offensive lineman into Pittsburgh’s new quarterback, and Rodgers lower leg was accidentally stepped on in the process.

Per reports from camp in Latrobe, Pa., Rodgers had scratches on his right shin and athletic trainers applied a bag of ice. The trainers wrapped his calf, and he returned to the drill without missing a rep.

“He just got stepped on,” Tomlin said afterward. “It was nothing of any significance. He finished his work.”

Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on his fourth snap as a New York Jet in 2023, but that injury was to his left leg, not his right.

Rodgers spoke to reporters before practice, where the focus was more on his new helmet, the Schutt Air XP Pro VTD II. Rodgers had to pick a new model because his previous one, the Schutt Air XP Pro Q11 LTD, is no longer sanctioned because it doesn’t meet the league’s evolved safety standards.

“I don’t like it, no,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “I’m trying to change. We’re in the process still. It looks like a damn spaceship out there.

“We got to change it. The face mask doesn’t fit the helmet because that’s an old face mask, obviously just like I’m old, but we’re trying to find the right helmet right now.”

–Field Level Media