If Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II had any desire to move on from head coach Mike Tomlin, he has a brilliant poker face. Covering Sunday night’s game for NBC Sports, Tony Dungy had a 30 minute Saturday meeting with Rooney ahead of his extended sit down with Tomlin. From Dungy’s perspective, Rooney is more than willing to bring Tomlin back.
“We were at the game, Dan, covering the game, Pittsburgh and Baltimore,” Dungy told Dan Patrick in a Wednesday interview. “And leading up to it all we’re hearing is whichever coach is loses the game is in trouble. And I’m thinking, here’s a guy who’s been there 19 years. Another guy’s been there 18 years. They’ve been to Super Bowls, they’ve been in the playoffs. Why are you in trouble?
“I interviewed Mike Tomlin Saturday. I’m in Art Rooney’s office, and I sit for 30 minutes with Art Rooney. And I come to the conclusion, Mike Tomlin is not in trouble. I sensed that from talking to Art.”
Dungy’s comments came on the heels of reacting to the Baltimore Ravens firing head coach John Harbaugh, a decision Dungy panned. He told Patrick the decision seemed to stem from angry fans rather than a true belief the organization would be better without Harbaugh. Baltimore will look to make just its fourth head coach hire in franchise history.
Though most of the focus has been on Tomlin possibly leaving on his own accord, Dungy’s comments are still notable. Tomlin might feel more willing to jump ship if he senses ownership is wavering in its support. Dungy didn’t detail specifics of what gave him the confidence to share such a sentiment, but his ties to the organization run deep. As a player, a coach, mentor of Tomlin and longtime friend of Rooney.
Even if Ravens’ kicker Tyler Loop would’ve sent the Steelers home, Dungy thinks Tomlin’s job would’ve been safe.
“If Pittsburgh lost, I knew that wasn’t true,” he said, responding to reports of Tomlin being outed with a loss.
More subtly, Dungy’s comments suggest Rooney doesn’t have any reason to think Tomlin is considering leaving, either.
Should Tomlin return in 2026, Rooney will have to decide Tomlin’s 2027 team option by March 1st. Dungy’s comments hint, though don’t outright say, Rooney will exercise it. Failing to do so would make Tomlin a “lame duck” coach going into 2026. Contractually and optically, it would create the perception his job is on the line. That might make it tougher to retain pending and bring in outside free agents. Many choose Pittsburgh specifically to play for Tomlin and if his status beyond 2026 is in question, that could impact a player’s decision.
Assuming Pittsburgh welcomes Tomlin back, he’ll have to decide to coach for a 20th year with the Steelers or do something else. His Wednesday interview with Rich Eisen indicated he aims to continue coaching, though a final decision should be known within days of the team’s season ending.
Check out the full clip below.