The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most loyal franchises in the NFL, and that is something that the organization is very respected for. The franchise has had just three head coaches since the 1969 season, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin is currently the longest-tenured head coach in the league. The fan base in Pittsburgh has grown frustrated with Tomlin as the Steelers have not won a playoff game in nearly a decade, and it seems as though mediocrity has become the new standard for the organization. This was once a team that expected to go on playoff runs every year, and that is not the case anymore.

Fans have been wondering if Tomlin’s message has gotten stale within the Pittsburgh locker room, and that could very well be the case. The Steelers are seemingly the same team every single year, regardless of any offseason moves that are made. In addition to that, the defense is currently one of the worst in the league, despite having endless talent. That says a lot about a head coach with a defensive background.

Team insider Gerry Dulac spoke to fans during a chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, and he was asked whether or not ownership is angry with Tomlin.

“Angry is not the word,” Dulac wrote. “Frustrated or impatient would be a better choice.”

This is the first the fan base has heard that Art Rooney II is anything other than happy with his head coach. After all, the money does come out of his pocket and he is not getting the results. He is paying for the most expensive defense in the league and it is playing like the worst in the league. It is all a slap in the face for Rooney, who should be considering some serious changes for his team.

Rooney gave Tomlin a contract extension after the 2023 season came to a close, and the coach is now under contract through the 2027 season. Fans and certain analysts have marked the 2027 season as the possible end of the Tomlin-era in Pittsburgh as the expiration of his contract would allow for things to be a clean break, but if Rooney is frustrated and impatient, a firing could come much sooner.

The idea of Tomlin being done in Pittsburgh will never feel realistic until it actually happens. A lot of fans want it to come soon, but the future Hall Of Famer is going to have a lot of time to right the ship for the Steelers. There is still a world where the franchise can turn things around and go on a run in the postseason, it is just going to take some better defensive play. The offense has looked the best it has in years, and if the coaching staff can get the defense to step up, Pittsburgh could be a threat in the AFC. Until the franchise makes any noise in the postseason, Tomlin should start feeling some heat.

Steelers Coaching Changes Could Come Soon

The Steelers are squaring off against one of the best offenses in the league in Week 9 as they will host the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh just strung together two pathetic defensive performances against the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, and if that happens again, some changes should be expected. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin is certainly in danger of losing his job, especially if Tomlin starts to feel some pressure and thinks a change needs to be made. Pittsburgh proved to be willing to fire a coordinator midseason back in 2023, and that could happen again in 2025.

It feels unlikely that Tomlin would ever be fired from his position in Pittsburgh, but the fact that Rooney is growing frustrated and impatient means there are some tensions rising within the organization.