Steelers owner says Mike Tomlin not expected to coach again ‘in the near future’

PITTSBURGH — When Mike Tomlin walked into Art Rooney II’s office Tuesday afternoon, the team president and owner was expecting to discuss plans for the 2026 season. Instead, Tomlin told him that, after 19 seasons as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was stepping down.

Rooney was “willing to take another run” with Tomlin in 2026 but indicated the coach was the one who made the call.

“It was his decision,” Rooney said. “I wasn’t shocked, but I wasn’t expecting that conversation yesterday, either. When you get to this stage of a career, obviously — he even mentioned it himself (several times in the past) that he was nearer to the end than at the beginning.”

The Steelers still retain Tomlin’s rights; he is under contract for 2026, and the team has until March 1 to exercise an option for the 2027 season. If Tomlin is interested in returning to coaching during that term, Pittsburgh would, presumably, receive compensation for its coach based on recent precedent. Most recently, the Denver Broncos gave up a first-round pick and a future second-round pick for Sean Payton and a third-rounder. However, Rooney declined to discuss the specifics of the contract and suggested that, at least in the immediate wake of the resignation, a trade is not on the table.

“Mike indicated that he did not anticipate coaching, at least in the near future,” Rooney said. “I think he wants to spend time with his family and do some of the kinds of things he hasn’t been able to do for the last many, many years. If something like that comes up, we’ll deal with it when it comes up. But right now that doesn’t seem to be on his radar.”

Tomlin, who famously never endured a losing season, compiled a record of 193-114-2, with two appearances in the Super Bowl and one Lombardi Trophy. However, his legacy has been complicated by a now-nine-year drought without a playoff win. Fan frustration with the lack of postseason success reached a boiling point in Week 13, when fans chanted to “Fire Tomlin” during a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. Asked whether the negativity or the losing streak might have weighed into Tomlin’s decision, Rooney said he’ll leave it up to the coach to fully explain the factors.

“I think that, in my mind and the discussion that we had, it was probably more of a family-related decision than a football-related decision,” Rooney said. “But as I say, I don’t want to speak for Mike.”

The ripple effect of Tomlin’s decision will impact several levels of the organization, from the coaching staff to the quarterback. The departure now likely shuts the door on Aaron Rodgers returning to the Steelers. During Rodgers’ first news conference in Pittsburgh back at mandatory minicamp, he was asked why he had joined the team and answered with two words: “Mike Tomlin.” Rooney underscored that point Wednesday.

“Aaron came here to play for Mike,” Rooney said. “I think it will most likely affect his decision.”

The Steelers will now begin the search for their fourth head coach since 1969. Rooney said he and general manager Omar Khan will lead the search, with input from others within the organization. That process begins immediately.

Pittsburgh has already put in interview requests for Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, league sources told The Athletic. Pittsburgh is expected to continue to reach out to candidates within the coming hours and days.

In the past, the Steelers have preferred young and, more recently, defensive-minded coaches. Though the young part might still apply, the Steelers aren’t too rigid.

“Can I sign up for another Chuck Noll or another Bill Cowher or another Mike Tomlin? Sure, somebody that we feel fits that mold would be great,” Rooney said. “But we’re not going to narrow the box too much. … I think if I’ve learned anything, it’s to have an open mind. When we had Mike in for his first interview, certainly wasn’t expecting that he was going to be our next head coach.”

At the same time, Rooney said none of the current members of the coaching staff are considered candidates for the top job. So even though current offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has received interest from the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, he is not expected to be on the Steelers’ list. As for the rest of the staff, Rooney didn’t shut the door on some members remaining in the organization. However, virtually every assistant — including defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive line coach Pat Meyer — is on an expiring contract. The next head coach will have the ultimate say in the staff he assembles, and that staff should look dramatically different.

Along the same lines, the Steelers are a head coach organization, so to speak; the head coach has a tremendous amount of influence on all decisions, from the roster to the coaching staff.

“I don’t think I anticipate really changing our structure or chain of command,” Rooney said. “I expect a new head coach — like Bill Cowher, like Mike Tomlin, like Chuck Noll — will be very involved in preparing for the draft and working closely with Omar and his staff and making sure we’re ready.”

Speaking of the roster, the Steelers’ payroll is loaded with aging veterans, especially on the defensive side, with the likes of T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward and Jalen Ramsey. Rooney said the new coach’s plan for the roster will be an important part of the interview process. Although the Steelers have a lot of cap space tied up on defense, it’s worth noting that Tomlin’s inability to crack through in the playoffs was, at least in some ways, connected to an inability to identify and develop Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. The Steelers have been stockpiling NFL Draft capital, hoping to move up in the 2026 or 2027 draft to land their future quarterback.

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

That said, Rooney does not view this moment of transition as any kind of reset or as a rebuild, necessarily.

“I’m not sure why you waste a year of your life not trying to contend,” Rooney said. “Obviously, your roster is what it is every year. It changes every year. So you deal with what you have every year and try to put yourself in position to compete. Sometimes you have the horses, sometimes you don’t, but I think you try every year.”

So, what will the Steelers look for in their next coach?

“I think there are a lot of things that go into being a successful head coach,” Rooney said. “Number one, really in my mind, is leadership and really trusting that this person can stand up in front of your team day in and day out, hold their attention and have them motivated to do what they do. That’s the most important part.”

— Jourdan Rodrigue and Dianna Russini contributed to this report.