Skip to main content
Join Now

Steelers fans start 'Fire Tomlin' chant as Bills take commanding lead in Week 13

Meby: Nick Geddes12/01/25NickGeddesNews

Two years ago, they were chanting “Fire Canada.” Two years later and they are chanting “Fire Tomlin.” They, in this case, refers to Pittsburgh Steelers fans at Acrisure Stadium.

The Steelers are currently trailing the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, and Steelers fans are far from pleased with the on-field product. The chant started in the fourth quarter and quickly gained traction. It was broken up after quarterback Aaron Rodgers connected with tight end Darnell Washington for a sizeable gain.

Down 23-7 late in the fourth quarter, the Steelers are sure to drop their fifth game of their last seven. Pittsburgh got off to a 4-1 start but is now looking at being 6-6 and further out of playoff contention. Clearly, a portion of Steelers fans believe this should be the last straw for Mike Tomlin.

Mike Tomlin and his job security

Tomlin, 53, has been Pittsburgh’s head coach since the 2007 season. This is year 19 of what has been a successful run for Tomlin in the Steel City. The Steelers are well over .600 under his leadership, winning a Super Bowl in 2008. Pittsburgh under Tomlin has finished .500 or better in every season.

The Steelers, however, have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. That’s nearly a decade, and this season doesn’t look to be promising in snapping that streak. This is a franchise which has six Lombardi trophies, and they haven’t been close to reaching that level in some time.

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension prior to the 2024 season. He is under contract through the 2027 season. Tomlin addressed the outside noise concerning his job security after last season’s Wild Card Round defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.

“I have no response to that. I understand the nature of what it is that we do,” Tomlin said. “The attention and criticism that comes with that. As a matter of fact, I embrace it. I enjoy the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do. I don’t make excuses for failure. I own it. But I also feel like I’m capable.

“As long as I’m afforded the opportunity to do that, I will continue. But I certainly understand the frustrations, and probably more importantly than that, I share it. Because that’s how I’m wired. I’m not a big-time comfort seeker, and particularly in circumstances such as this, I don’t view myself as a comfort provider because words are hollow. It’s about what we do and less about what we say.”