Pittsburgh Steelers make Mike Tomlin decision as key date revealed for NFL’s longest-tenured head coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers are sticking with Mike Tomlin.

Week 14 marks what could potentially be the biggest game of the 2025 season for the NFL‘s longest-tenured head coach.

Getty

The Steelers are on the road against the Baltimore Ravens for a showdown that will go a long way to deciding the winner of the AFC North.

Both teams are currently tied with 6-6 records, and whichever takes a one-game lead with four weeks remaining will be odds-on to make the play-offs. They are also listed in talkSPORT’s top Super Bowl contenders.

If Tomlin can get his team to the postseason once more, it will be Pittsburgh’s third-straight appearance.

At 6-6, he is also almost certain to keep his streak of winning seasons alive for a 19th year.

Still, that apparently is not enough for some fans.

After a collapse against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, some called for the Steelers to dismiss their head coach.

Cries of ‘Fire Tomlin!’ broke out from pockets of the Pittsburgh faithful at Acrisure Stadium as Josh Allen and James Cook diced up the defense for a 26-7 loss.

The front office, though, wasn’t listening — and was also part responsible for trading away a weapon that has made the Dallas Cowboys a dark horse Super Bowl contender.

Pittsburgh Steelers make Mike Tomlin decision

According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Tomlin will not be fired.

“Nobody in the Steelers’ organization nor around the NFL expects Pittsburgh to fire Tomlin; the organization hasn’t fired a head coach since 1968,” the ESPN reporter wrote on Saturday, December 6.

Getty

“So despite Steelers fans’ calls to fire Tomlin during last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Steelers aren’t considering that.

“His and their futures are in Baltimore on Sunday, when the Steelers will face the Ravens for first place in the AFC North.”

While Schefter’s report put to bed the idea of Pittsburgh dismissing Tomlin, he did note that the team has a big decision to make in the coming months.

Key date for Mike Tomlin’s Steelers future revealed

After this season, the HC will have two years remaining on his contract – 2026 and a team option in 2027.

Schefter reports that the Steelers must exercise that option on or before March 1, 2026.

“There will be organizational meetings and decisions that occur but not until after this season, with a full body of work for all appropriate parties to review,” sources told ESPN.

Getty

Schefter also described Tomlin’s contract as a ‘real touchstone’ because if the team decline to pick up his option, they would allow their head coach to enter the final year of his contract in 2026.

Pittsburgh could explore trading Tomlin once this season concludes, but any potential move would not be possible without his permission.

According to ESPN, Tomlin’s contract includes a no-trade clause, allowing him to block any move the Steelers could make. If he says no to a trade, there will be no trade.

While there is much for the front office to discuss and decide, Schefter’s report adds that ‘the team isn’t willing to consider coaching options now’ as they are fully focused on finishing this season strong.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

If the Steelers beat the Ravens to take command of the AFC North, much of the talk around Tomlin will fade.

But while he is the NFL’s longest-tenured coach with an 18-season regular-season winning streak, Pittsburgh has also not won a playoff game since 2016.

That is the source of much frustration for fans, who might let their frustrations known again if the final few weeks of the season don’t unfold as hoped.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.