Right after the Steelers‘ tough loss to the Ravens, the ‘Fire Mike Tomlin’ chants are growing louder than a packed Heinz Field on game day. The buzz is so loud, in fact, that one team couldn’t resist and reportedly reached out to Pittsburgh to check on Tomlin‘s availability. Can you imagine? After 18 years at the helm, could the Steelers actually be entertaining the idea of moving on from their longest-tenured coach? Wild times in the Steel City, for sure.

Well, not so soon. It seems the undisclosed team had to turn back after finding out that the head coach has a no-trade clause in his contract, as reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN. Let me remind you that the Steelers signed Tomlin on a three-year contract back in 2024. Sure, at the beginning of the season, it seemed that the head coach might enter his third decade with the Steelers.

But then again, this season had some other plans for the head coach. Well, not in the case of playoffs. This loss to the Ravens marked the sixth straight playoff loss for the Pittsburgh team under Tomlin’s tenure. A record that the Steelers fans are not so proud of, to be honest. Now, the fans are not shying away from calling in for a change in the HC’s post.

And it’s not just the fans who believe so. ESPN’s host, Stephen A. Smith, also falls under the same category. “I love Mike Tomlin,” Smith stated on First Take. “I hope he doesn’t leave. But I want to make sure I emphasize what I’m saying here. There does come a point in time, and I’m not saying that is the case yet with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there does come a point in time where you have to ask yourself a question: Is a new voice and vision required?”

Well, after 18 seasons with the Steelers, Tomlin has established himself as one of the top coaches in the NFL. With a track record of 187-102 in the regular season, the coach’s performance speaks for his name. However, the postseason track record? Well, it looks kinda out-worldly if compared to his regular season record, especially the past few years.

The fact is, Tomlin and the Steelers haven’t won a postseason game in the last eight years, and that’s the major concern for the team. So far, neither the Steelers have given any indication that they want to move on from Tomlin, nor the head coach showed any interest in leaving his team.

Mike Tomlin: One of the highest-paid coaches

Let’s talk money—big money. Tomlin isn’t just one of the longest-tenured coaches in the NFL; he’s also sitting pretty when it comes to the highest-paying head coaches in the NFL. The Steelers signed Mike Tomlin for a three-year contract extension back in 2024. “Mike Tomlin’s leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “Extending his contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success.”

With this contract extension, Tomlin got his name in the top three highest paid head coaches of the league. While the Steelers might be missing be missing playoffs wins, the head coach certainly isn’t missing any zeroes on his paycheck with $16 million average annual value. His value is tied to Jim Harbaugh, and he’s only behind Andy Reid and Sean Payton.

“I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh,” said Tomlin after signing the contract. “We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s seventh Lombardi Trophy.”

Well, sadly, Mike Tomlin has to wait another year for a playoff success with his ultimate goal of winning that seventh trophy, only if his future lies with the Steelers.