Why Mike Tomlin left Steelers — and whether they would trade him

Steelers owner Art Rooney II revealed his emotional conversation with head coach Mike Tomlin, who stepped down Tuesday after 19 years at the helm and a consistent winning record.

During a press conference Wednesday, Rooney said he went into his end-of-season conversation with Tomlin “willing to take another run at it next year” but things “went in a different direction.”

“Mike indicated that he did not anticipate coaching, at least in the near future,” Rooney said when asked on pursuing compensation if Tomlin were to coach elsewhere.

Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on before the game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty Images

“I think he wants to spend time with his family and do some of the kinds of things he hasn’t been able to do for the last many, many years.

“If something like that comes up, we’ll deal with it when it comes up. But right now, that doesn’t seem to be on his radar.”

Rooney added that he wasn’t shocked by Tomlin’s decision, but also wasn’t expecting “that kind of conversation either.”

He wouldn’t get into details of Tomlin’s contract, which has two years remaining.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II meets with reporters Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh. AP

Since there are two years left, any team interested in hiring Tomlin would have to provide compensation to the Steelers.

Tomlin’s exit comes after the Steelers suffered a brutal 30-6 loss to the Texans in the wild-card round Monday night.

Rooney said he and general manager Omar Khan will lead the search for their next head coach.

Tomlin never had a single season under .500 in Pittsburgh and his 201 total wins — including the postseason — are the 10th-most in NFL history.

The Steelers hired Tomlin to replace Bill Cowher after he resigned in 2007.

Tomlin coached the club to a Super Bowl title, defeating the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in 2009.