The reaction from Steelers players was shock after learning that coach Mike Tomlin stepped down on Tuesday, less than one day after a season-ending 30-6 loss to the Texans in the AFC wild-card round.
ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin reported that players were in “disbelief” after hearing the news as they began departing the team facility.
The Worldwide Leader’s Steelers reporter, Brooke Pryor, reported on air that there had been no inkling that Tomlin, 53, was about to step down as head coach and stated that the meeting with the team to inform them of his decision lasted 30 minutes.
Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith told Pryor before the decision came out that Tomlin was a “fall guy” for all the fan angst surrounding the team.
She added that Smith called Tomlin “one of the best leaders” he’d been around.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers defended Tomlin on Monday night after the loss when he slammed the “Twitter experts and all the experts on TV” and the notion that the now ex-Steelers coach should be on the hot seat.
“Mike T. has had more success than damn near anybody in the league for the last 19, 20 years. More than that, though, when you have the right guy and the culture is right, you don’t think about making a change,” Rodgers said. “But there’s a lot of pressure that comes from the outside and obviously that sways decisions from time to time. But it’s not how I would do things and not how the league used to be.”
Tomlin said in a statement that he came to the decision after “much thought and reflection” and called it “an absolute honor” to have coached the Steelers.
“I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support. I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful,” Tomlin said.
“While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change,” Tomlin added. “I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh.”
Tomlin had two years left on his contract. It is not known if he’ll pursue another coaching job — Pittsburgh’s addition to the list of head coaching jobs brings the current total to nine — and The Athletic reported that Fox is the frontrunner to land his services if he opts for TV.
Tomlin’s 19 years in Pittsburgh were highlighted by a Super Bowl championship during the 2008 season and never enduring a losing season.
