Mike, you talk *** lot about frustration and you have said you understand the fans’ frustration. What is it like for you personally when they’re calling for you to go? You know, um, in general, I agree with them. Um, from this perspective, um, football is our game, we’re in *** sport entertainment business. And so, um, if you root for the Steelers, entertaining them is winning and so when you’re not winning it’s not entertaining and if you’ve been in this business, you understand that and so I respect it. um I share frustrations um I understand what makes this thing go and winning is what makes this thing go.
Mike Tomlin addresses ‘Fire Tomlin’ chants, Pittsburgh Steelers fans react
Updated: 4:33 PM EST Dec 3, 2025
After the Steelers fell to 6-6 on Sunday, some fans inside Acrisure Stadium started chanting “Fire Tomlin,” calling for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin to be replaced.“I think you fire Mike Tomlin,” said Izzy Cheney.Many fans said they’re frustrated by the same results year after year. “They want to have hope for possibly making a deep playoff run,” Cheney said. “And going 9-8 every year is not something you want to see. It’s very disappointing, honestly.”At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 asked Tomlin what it’s like hearing it from the fans. “In general, I agree with them,” Tomlin said. “And 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. 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.”The Steelers did make a few roster moves Monday. They released cornerback Darius Slay and promoted Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad.“Darius Slay move was good because of James Pierre playing a lot better,” Steelers fan Liam Surgenavic said. “I think you can bring somebody back, too, on the practice squad. And we also have Asante Samuel.”The team also signed wide receiver Adam Thielen, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings. But for fans who say the team needs newer and younger talent, the move was disappointing.“They’re a little bit late with that,” Steelers fan Ben Schaffer said. “I don’t think it’s the right move. I feel like we could have made better choices earlier in the year.”The AFC North is still wide open with both Pittsburgh and the Baltimore Ravens at 6-6.“I’m excited about the prep in terms of what lies ahead with us this week, excited about getting in front of our guys starting tomorrow morning, and laying out a plan, and working that plan and taking it to Baltimore,” Tomlin said. “AFC North football, with a division lead on the line.”Do fans think the Steelers can take the division?“No,” Surgenavic said.
PITTSBURGH —
After the Steelers fell to 6-6 on Sunday, some fans inside Acrisure Stadium started chanting “Fire Tomlin,” calling for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin to be replaced.
“I think you fire Mike Tomlin,” said Izzy Cheney.
Many fans said they’re frustrated by the same results year after year.
“They want to have hope for possibly making a deep playoff run,” Cheney said. “And going 9-8 every year is not something you want to see. It’s very disappointing, honestly.”
At his weekly news conference Tuesday, Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 asked Tomlin what it’s like hearing it from the fans.
“In general, I agree with them,” Tomlin said. “And 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. 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.”
The Steelers did make a few roster moves Monday. They released cornerback Darius Slay and promoted Asante Samuel Jr. from the practice squad.
“Darius Slay move was good because of James Pierre playing a lot better,” Steelers fan Liam Surgenavic said. “I think you can bring somebody back, too, on the practice squad. And we also have Asante Samuel.”
The team also signed wide receiver Adam Thielen, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings. But for fans who say the team needs newer and younger talent, the move was disappointing.
“They’re a little bit late with that,” Steelers fan Ben Schaffer said. “I don’t think it’s the right move. I feel like we could have made better choices earlier in the year.”
The AFC North is still wide open with both Pittsburgh and the Baltimore Ravens at 6-6.
“I’m excited about the prep in terms of what lies ahead with us this week, excited about getting in front of our guys starting tomorrow morning, and laying out a plan, and working that plan and taking it to Baltimore,” Tomlin said. “AFC North football, with a division lead on the line.”
Do fans think the Steelers can take the division?
“No,” Surgenavic said.