SteelerFury Combined Forum

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

I think he was given an ultimatum last season. Win a playoff game or we are not picking up your option. In return, Tomlin was given a completely free hand in building the roster. That’s when the Steelers went all in on Rodgers, and brought in all the old washed vets. He also traded away mouthy vets like Minkah and uppity young guns like Pickens. Every excuse that Tomlin might have was removed. They even gave Watt that ridiculous extension because Tomlin didn’t want Mr. Splash Play to be upset during the year.

That roster was 100% Tomlin approved.

And the mediocre fraud STILL failed.

Part of the deal was that he would not get publicly fired - Mikey couldn’t handle that embarrassment. But in return, he would walk away, allowing the Steelers to keep his rights (and their money).

Art the Lessor was lying through his billionaire’s teeth.


Oh, also... I have long suspected that a rift between mediocre Mike and Art the Lessor occurred when Tomlin refused to fire Canada after Pickett’s rookie season. After investing a 1st rounder in the QB Tomlin absolutely wanted, Pickett’s second season started with that unqualified idiot still the OC, in charge of developing their supposed future franchise QB. After those embarrassing chants of “FIRE CANADA” all over the sporting world and no improvement in Pickett’s development, I believe A t L stepped in and fired Canada midseason over Tomlin’s objections.

That small crack turned into Tuesday’s glorious announcement!

CoolShades wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:20 pm

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

I think he was given an ultimatum last season. Win a playoff game or we are not picking up your option. In return, Tomlin was given a completely free hand in building the roster. That’s when the Steelers went all in on Rodgers, and brought in all the old washed vets. He also traded away mouthy vets like Minkah and uppity young guns like Pickens. Every excuse that Tomlin might have was removed. They even gave Watt that ridiculous extension because Tomlin didn’t want Mr. Splash Play to be upset during the year.

That roster was 100% Tomlin approved.

And the mediocre fraud STILL failed.

Part of the deal was that he would not get publicly fired - Mikey couldn’t handle that embarrassment. But in return, he would walk away, allowing the Steelers to keep his rights (and their money).

Art the Lessor was lying through his billionaire’s teeth.


Oh, also... I have long suspected that a rift between mediocre Mike and Art the Lessor occurred when Tomlin refused to fire Canada after Pickett’s rookie season. After investing a 1st rounder in the QB Tomlin absolutely wanted, Pickett’s second season started with that unqualified idiot still the OC, in charge of developing their supposed future franchise QB. After those embarrassing chants of “FIRE CANADA” all over the sporting world and no improvement in Pickett’s development, I believe A t L stepped in and fired Canada midseason over Tomlin’s objections.

That small crack turned into Tuesday’s glorious announcement!

yea, i can buy something along those lines.
i don’t believe rooney didn’t know it was coming.
i also can’t see rooney letting tomlin ruin the future of this team for 1 measly playoff win.
so strange

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:40 pm

CoolShades wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:20 pm

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

I think he was given an ultimatum last season. Win a playoff game or we are not picking up your option. In return, Tomlin was given a completely free hand in building the roster. That’s when the Steelers went all in on Rodgers, and brought in all the old washed vets. He also traded away mouthy vets like Minkah and uppity young guns like Pickens. Every excuse that Tomlin might have was removed. They even gave Watt that ridiculous extension because Tomlin didn’t want Mr. Splash Play to be upset during the year.

That roster was 100% Tomlin approved.

And the mediocre fraud STILL failed.

Part of the deal was that he would not get publicly fired - Mikey couldn’t handle that embarrassment. But in return, he would walk away, allowing the Steelers to keep his rights (and their money).

Art the Lessor was lying through his billionaire’s teeth.


Oh, also... I have long suspected that a rift between mediocre Mike and Art the Lessor occurred when Tomlin refused to fire Canada after Pickett’s rookie season. After investing a 1st rounder in the QB Tomlin absolutely wanted, Pickett’s second season started with that unqualified idiot still the OC, in charge of developing their supposed future franchise QB. After those embarrassing chants of “FIRE CANADA” all over the sporting world and no improvement in Pickett’s development, I believe A t L stepped in and fired Canada midseason over Tomlin’s objections.

That small crack turned into Tuesday’s glorious announcement!

yea, i can buy something along those lines.
i don’t believe rooney didn’t know it was coming.
i also can’t see rooney letting tomlin ruin the future of this team for 1 measly playoff win.
so strange

It is strange, but something went on behind the scenes. I read that the Steelers did some background work on ND’s Freeman a few weeks ago, before the Ravens game. If that’s true, then the Steelers were actively getting their ducks in a row for a coaching search that no one really thought was going to happen.

Tomlin may have told them that he was stepping down after the season no matter what happened too... we may never know.

Art the Lessor does not impress me as an intelligent football man. He also may feel that the Steelers are not ruined... hell, he let Tomlin slowly destroy the franchise right in front of him and his entire family for over a decade and praised Tomlin for the effort and gave him extension after extension. Maybe he actually believed in Tomlin’s football acumen. That’s even more disturbing to me.

The Steelers aren't ruined.

Despite some of teh high priced signings, they aren't in cap hell and they have a lot of draft picks.

They don't have the franchise QB yet, that's true, but they aren't ruined.

I do think he stepped down.
How does he go into 2026 season knowing his roster could be even bleacker than what he has composed over the last half decade.......

They are not getting a franchise QB in the draft.
If they bring back AA, he is another year older.
FA QBs out there will be a repeat of the Russell Wilson / Josh Fields season.
A QB by committe of Mason, Howard, Malik Willis may not get to .500+ knowing.........

They only have one WR on the roster that you can say should be one of their top 3 WRs
Who are #2 and #3 at this point.
AND #1 has a limited route tree and shaky hands.

You have banished and assigned your young WR Wilson and young RB Kaleb Johnson to pen holders for "clip board holders"

Your two RBs are also insanely used as kick returners.

Your two staunchest defensive voices will be yet another year older.
Your only young defender in the secondary that has an arrow pointing up is Porter.

It is very likley he would have gone into 2026 with the very danger of ending the only thing the media and Tomlin can hold on to NHALS.
AND If somehow he gather enough mediocre safe vets to get another playoff game in 2026..........with the same QB and skill defecit and ineffective defense........

How, ........how would he allow himself to be put in a position of getting his doors blown off an 8th straight time and etching his name in the record books of futility .............ALL by himself.

This team needs a franchise QB.
A #1 and #3 WR ........and..............potentially a #4 WR.........
A modern NFL TE.
Another OT a G to replace Seemu
Another high round Dlimnemen.
OLB depth with Watts decline and AH and Herbig injuries each year.
A sideline to sideline tackler in the middle of the field.
One, probably two new starters in the secondary.

A punt rerurner
A kick returner.

Holy crap, he has depleted this roster.
Why stay and have a culminating season to be shit on or....GET FIRED

I don’t think they are ruined either.

Tomlin’s resignation has given the fan base a jolt of enthusiasm and hope, something I haven’t seen in a long time. Even if they bottom out next season, I doubt it will be viewed as a negative (except by the Tomlin fanboys).

I wouldn’t mind a high draft pick and a shot at Arch Manning next year... or whoever the stud QB prospect is.

They have a ton of draft picks this year also. If they restock their roster with a great draft, bring in a coach willing to turn the organization on its ear and rebuild the culture, I think the Steelers will be fine and on the road to recovery.

jeemie wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:55 pm

The Steelers aren't ruined.

Despite some of teh high priced signings, they aren't in cap hell and they have a lot of draft picks.

They don't have the franchise QB yet, that's true, but they aren't ruined.

I have hope.
Hope for a new direction.
A new voice.

Steelers 2026 NFL draft picks
The Steelers are slated to have a whopping 12 picks in the 2026 NFL draft when you include projected compensatory picks. Here's the full list:

Round 1 (No. 21 overall)
Round 2
Round 3
Round 3 (via DAL)
Round 3 (projected comp pick)
Round 4
Round 4 (projected comp pick)
Round 5
Round 6 (projected comp pick)
Round 6 (projected comp pick)
Round 7
Round 7 (via NO)
The third-round selection from the Dallas Cowboys came via the George Pickens trade during the 2025 offseason, while the pick from the New Orleans Saints was acquired in the trade with the New England Patriots for safety Kyle Dugger.

New England acquired the pick after sending defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to New Orleans.

The projected compensatory picks come from the free-agent departures of Dan Moore (3rd), Justin Fields (4th), Russell Wilson (6th) and Donte Jackson (6th), according to Over The Cap.

The 2026 NFL draft will take place from April 23-25 and, as Steelers fans already know, the event will be held in Pittsburgh.

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

He didn’t give a farewell presser in person like Noll and cowher did

Makes me think he’s the coward we thought or the asshole arrogant prick we know he is deep down

Firing yea maybe fired coaches never give last pressers

Only ones that step away do

CoolShades wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:47 pm

It is strange, but something went on behind the scenes. I read that the Steelers did some background work on ND’s Freeman a few weeks ago, before the Ravens game. If that’s true, then the Steelers were actively getting their ducks in a row for a coaching search that no one really thought was going to happen.

Tomlin may have told them that he was stepping down after the season no matter what happened too... we may never know.

Yeah, it’s obvious they were already prepping. I believe some of the national guys were leaking the Steelers were big on Chris Shula should Tomlin not be back. The feelers were already going out thru back channels for sure.

He completely was fired or "forced out" whatever you want to call it. Art 2 was not being totally honest and he avoided the question about the Option Year like the plague. Also, you are correct, that if Tomlin really was walking away on his own, he would have done a kiss-ass press conference to say goodbye. He loved those things.

franco32 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:29 pm

He completely was fired or "forced out" whatever you want to call it. Art 2 was not being totally honest and he avoided the question about the Option Year like the plague. Also, you are correct, that if Tomlin really was walking away on his own, he would have done a kiss-ass press conference to say goodbye. He loved those things.

After the game he said "I'm still focused on understanding this game tonight. Haven't started thinking about next year yet and will give it time". Or something to that effect.

It just smells a little quick and sudden. May have just been empty words, but doesn't really jive with blowing kisses a week earlier.

I think he was fired. May have known immediately after the game because he had an ultimatum to win a playoff game. Deuce doesn't want to talk about the contract or retaining rights because then it would be clear Tomlin was fired, and he doesn't want to project that narrative.

I'd even suggest - if Tomlin was the coach "expressing an interest in a change of scenery" - that it was orchestrated to maintain an illusion of walking away on his own terms in the event he was fired for not winning playoff games.

franco32 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:29 pm

He completely was fired or "forced out" whatever you want to call it. Art 2 was not being totally honest and he avoided the question about the Option Year like the plague. Also, you are correct, that if Tomlin really was walking away on his own, he would have done a kiss-ass press conference to say goodbye. He loved those things.

Assuming the reporting of the option year in his contract was correct, I think Art probably informed Tomlin the Steelers weren't exercising the option and Tomlin quit so he wouldn't have a lame duck year. Art probably guessed that this would happen. So technically not a firing, more like a force out.

W&M_Steeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:59 pm

franco32 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:29 pm

He completely was fired or "forced out" whatever you want to call it. Art 2 was not being totally honest and he avoided the question about the Option Year like the plague. Also, you are correct, that if Tomlin really was walking away on his own, he would have done a kiss-ass press conference to say goodbye. He loved those things.

Assuming the reporting of the option year in his contract was correct, I think Art probably informed Tomlin the Steelers weren't exercising the option and Tomlin quit so he wouldn't have a lame duck year. Art probably guessed that this would happen. So technically not a firing, more like a force out.

I’m pretty sure this is what occurred

W&M_Steeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:59 pm

franco32 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:29 pm

He completely was fired or "forced out" whatever you want to call it. Art 2 was not being totally honest and he avoided the question about the Option Year like the plague. Also, you are correct, that if Tomlin really was walking away on his own, he would have done a kiss-ass press conference to say goodbye. He loved those things.

Assuming the reporting of the option year in his contract was correct, I think Art probably informed Tomlin the Steelers weren't exercising the option and Tomlin quit so he wouldn't have a lame duck year. Art probably guessed that this would happen. So technically not a firing, more like a force out.

after watching rooney be happy with .500 for a decade, i find it hard to believe he finally got a set of balls.
it would be super cool if he did tho

Did he actually leave 50 million on the table by resigning.

That's a lot of t-shirts.

langer wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 16, 2026 1:16 am

Did he actually leave 50 million on the table by resigning.

That's a lot of t-shirts.

no, its why Rooney is likely bullshitting ... or there was a deal at the start of the year that this is how it would go down if no play-off win. But even then why wouldnt Tomlin force a firing.

and 50m has to be BS as he had an option that was supposedly not exercised so its only one year remaining

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

I am sure it was a mutual parting of ways. Rooney can’t know completely what was going on in Tomlin’s head and Tomlin can’t know completely what was going on in Rooney’s head.

One could have broken up with the other first to avoid being dumped not knowing that the other wasn’t planning on the presumed action. They both might be sick of the team and operations. They both could have looked at each other and said it was time simultaneously. Or Rooney could have said beat it or Mike Tomlin could have said peace out.

It doesn’t matter. The decision can still look stupid or amazing know matter the scenario that played out above.

After reading more
I am pretty sure he was fired and will be paid for next year if he doesn’t find a job
Or they made a deal last year … they won’t fire him then, one last chance but he steps down and doesn’t get 2026 pay if they blow it again
This was not his choice and while he gets he didn’t produce enough … he is still mad.
I think he is mad that the City didn’t embrace him like he thinks they should and that Rooney bailed out on him
I don’t though understand how he or the players can think it wasn’t justified or didn’t see it coming
I think all that is damage control for Brand and HoF

On the question of whether Tomlin was forced out or not - remember this is the same organization that retired two coaches in Bruce Arians and Dick Lebeau who never actually intended to retire. Released statements as an organization and Art II got up in his presser and insisted they were retiring.

I don't know why he feels the need to do this. It's the NFL coaches get fired. Even long term ones. I don't know if this is the case with Tomlin, bu there's zero reason to believe Art II on anything.

Like most BS artists, Tomlin didn't want to be confronted directly for his performance. He knew that was coming this year. Living in his fears until the very end. Think of all the money he spent this year. Highest paid defense barely making the playoffs. All of the re-animated corpses he put on the field. Players he advocated for and never used. Players he "got paid". A player he traded away that turned out to be an all-pro while the high priced replacement turned out to be pedestrian at best.

Rooney may not care about winning a Super Bowl. I guarantee he cares about money and his image among friends. Tomlin made him look a bit foolish. The only way for Tomlin to control the narrative and keep his HOF image intact was to leave.

Thats my take.

I definitely do lean towards Tomlin did step away on his own, but he saw the writing on the wall. He wasn't going to get his way on everything another off-season and that's what last year was. They followed his plan every step of the way to build a team that could win a measly playoff game and it still didn't even come close to happening. So he bailed. His ego was also deeply wounded by the Fire Tomlin shit.

Can you imagine what was going through the heads of Coach T, Art, Dino, Omar during that last abysmal disgusting and pathetic quarter of the last game of Coach T's career.

Did they mic anyone up?

DumlinBumlinStumlin wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 9:19 pm

sowhat wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 15, 2026 8:14 pm

i just find it strange that a guy as selfish and arrogant as him would voluntarily walk away from a great gig like this.
big money. no accountability, no expectations, 20 years sounds better than 19, coaching win record in sight…
doesn’t make sense to me.
of course i don’t see rooney caring about more than .500 and loves the 3 coaches in 60 years crap, throw in tomlins color….
there has to be much more to the story . doubt we ever find out tho.

He didn’t give a farewell presser in person like Noll and cowher did

Makes me think he’s the coward we thought or the asshole arrogant prick we know he is deep down

Firing yea maybe fired coaches never give last pressers

Only ones that step away do

I was hoping he'd blow kisses and thump his chest at his farewell conference

Yeah, he stepped down alright. He wanted to spend more time with his family. Art II recommended this.

CKSteeler wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 16, 2026 7:05 am

I definitely do lean towards Tomlin did step away on his own, but he saw the writing on the wall. He wasn't going to get his way on everything another off-season and that's what last year was. They followed his plan every step of the way to build a team that could win a measly playoff game and it still didn't even come close to happening. So he bailed. His ego was also deeply wounded by the Fire Tomlin shit.

That sounds about right. And I wouldn't be surprised if Tomlin's all done coaching. Remember when Cowher stepped down. Everyone expected him to come back to coaching. He never did. He found out that the TV gig was profitable and a hell of a lot easier than coaching. I think it's going to be the same for Tomlin.

Tomlin won’t coach again

He will sustain himself by TV

His fraud was on tape for years.

Old folks home with all that money thrown to these washed up guys

Unless the post coaching sour lights a fire in him to thump his chest some more

Us “haters” got him on to his life’s work

DumlinBumlinStumlin wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 16, 2026 1:14 pm

Tomlin won’t coach again

He will sustain himself by TV

His fraud was on tape for years.

Old folks home with all that money thrown to these washed up guys

Unless the post coaching sour lights a fire in him to thump his chest some more

Us “haters” got him on to his life’s work

Yeah, it was all you asshats rooting for losses, like both Baltimore games and Detroit, that made up Tomlin's mind.

To me, doesn’t matter at all. I don’t care.

The reality is the fraud is gone and this franchise finally gets its fresh start.

What that’s going to look like? Stay tuned!

swissvale72 wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 16, 2026 1:05 pm

CKSteeler wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 16, 2026 7:05 am

I definitely do lean towards Tomlin did step away on his own, but he saw the writing on the wall. He wasn't going to get his way on everything another off-season and that's what last year was. They followed his plan every step of the way to build a team that could win a measly playoff game and it still didn't even come close to happening. So he bailed. His ego was also deeply wounded by the Fire Tomlin shit.

That sounds about right. And I wouldn't be surprised if Tomlin's all done coaching. Remember when Cowher stepped down. Everyone expected him to come back to coaching. He never did. He found out that the TV gig was profitable and a hell of a lot easier than coaching. I think it's going to be the same for Tomlin.

I don't think Cowher ever wanted to coach again. The family relocated to NC in 2006 while Bill was still coaching. The girls at the time (I think) were at SC or NC colleges. Given all the family time he had missed, he wasn't going back to coaching. He also was maximizing the time he had left with his wife.