PITTSBURGH —With the Pittsburgh Steelers losing 23-7 in the third quarter to the Buffalo Bills , "Fire Tomlin" chants erupted from the crowd at Acrisure Stadium. That's the first time that's ever happened.
Steelers fans also booed during "Renegade". That also never happened before. That's how bad things are right now.
Fans are fed up with the state of the Steelers, and a majority of them blame Tomlin for the lack of success. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. That's almost a decade. That long of a playoff win drought hasn't happened for the Steelers since pre-1972.
Mike Tomlin is not fazed by fans calling for his job, however. He actually agrees with them.
"In general, I agree with them — from this perspective. Football is our game. We're in the sport entertainment business. And so, if you root for the Steelers, entertaining them is winning. And so, when you're not winning, it's not entertaining," Tomlin said during his Tuesday press conference. "And if you've been in this business, you understand that. And so, I respect it. I share frustrations. I understand what makes this thing go, and winning is what makes this thing go."
With the 26-7 lopsided loss to the Bills, the Steelers have lost five of their last seven games. At 6-6, the Steelers remain in the playoff race and are in contention for the division title, but things are looking grim.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 21, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Adam Schefter of ESPN threw cold water on the speculation that the Steelers could fire Tomlin.
"If a change ever occurs there, it's going to be because Mike Tomlin doesn't want to be back there," Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show . "Mike Tomlin, again I know people in Pittsburgh don't like it, hasn't had the losing season in his 18 years as head coach. They also haven't won a playoff game since 2016. It's both ways, some people view it one way, other people view it another way.
"If they did not want Mike Tomlin there, maybe the message is stale. Maybe he moves on like Andy Reid, finds a new home. Andy Reid's time in Philly ran out, he went to Kansas City and we see how that worked out for him. … If Mike Tomlin were a coaching free agent, he automatically would become the No. 1 coaching free agent out there. He could have any coaching job he wanted. He could have any broadcasting job he wanted. The Steelers fans clearly have had enough of Mike Tomlin, but they're not firing Mike Tomlin. That's not gonna happen. We're not gonna get one of these announcements that the Steelers have relieved him of his duties the way that we do from these other teams."
Tomlin is signed through the 2027 season. A trade could be an option, but Tomlin would have to sign off on it.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Mike Tomlin Understands Steelers Fans Outrage with Him: 'I Respect It'
Related Headlines
