Adam Schefter dismisses idea Pittsburgh Steelers would fire Mike Tomlin

On Sunday, “Fire Mike Tomlin” chants echoed throughout Acrisure Stadium as the Steelers fell 26-7 to the Buffalo Bills. During an appearance on Get Up on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter weighed in on Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh.

“I know they’re coming off a game in which they allowed more rushing yards in one game in Pittsburgh than the franchise ever has. I know it was a dark, gloomy day. I know the fans want him gone,” Schefter said. “We bring up the fact that he hasn’t had a losing season in 18 years in Pittsburgh. He also hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. In the day and age that we’re living in, for an NFL coach to go that long without winning a playoff game and keep his job is a remarkable accomplishment, but it doesn’t change the great coach that Mike Tomlin is.

“First of all, he’s not going to get fired. If they want to move on and decide to part ways, Mike Tomlin automatically will become the No. 1 head coaching candidate. He can become head coach. He can have a desk at any network or chair at any network he wanted. He could do whatever he wanted. I don’t think they’re firing Mike Tomlin. That’s not going to happen.”

Tomlin has been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007. He’s led the organization to 12 playoff appearances, seven division titles, and a Super Bowl victory in 2008.

While Tomlin has continued to lead the Steelers to winning seasons in recent years, he hasn’t reached the same heights he accomplished during his early seasons with the organization. With the loss on Sunday, the Steelers fell to 6-6 on the season.

Some fans are fed up with the situation. Mike Tomlin isn’t avoiding the blame.

“Man, I share their frustration tonight. We didn’t do enough and that’s just the reality of it,” Tomlin said after the game Sunday when asked about fans chanting for him to be fired.

It was a frustrating performance for the Steelers, who allowed the Bills to amass 249 rushing yards, the most ever by an opponent in Acrisure Stadium. Worse, Pittsburgh’s offense was lackluster, recording just 166 total yards and committing two turnovers.

With five games remaining in the regular season, Tomlin must lead the Steelers to a late-season surge if he wants to earn back the fans’ trust. On Sunday, Pittsburgh will square off against the Baltimore Ravens at 1 p.m. ET. The game will air live on CBS.