Mike Tomlin has announced his decision to leave the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons, citing personal reasons and the need for new leadership within the organization. He expressed that it was a difficult choice but felt it was the right time for both himself and the team.
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Mike Tomlin reveals why he left the Steelers after 19 seasons
Mike Tomlin has broken his silence on his shocking decision to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it apparently wasn't an easy one to make.
Tomlin, who made his NBC debut on Sunday, explained his thought process about why he finally decided to leave the Steelers after 19 years.
"It's probably not an overnight decision, but it's probably not something I could articulate or share with people," Tomlin said via NBC's Football Night in America. "It's just, there's a loneliness in leadership. I just thought it was a good time for me, personally. And by that, I mean just where I am in life. I thought it was a good time for the organization, to be quite honest with you. We didn't have a lot of success in the playoffs in recent years. There's just some veteran players, guys like Cam Heyward, and T.J. Watt, and [Chris] Boswell, that I thought were worthy of the excitement and the optimism associated with new leadership."
Tomlin, who was the head coach of the Steelers for almost two decades, decided to leave Pittsburgh following another first-round playoff loss, a pattern that had become all too familiar.
Nov 15, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) runs by South Florida Bulls defensive back Fred Gaskin (5) during the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated South Florida Bulls 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Mike Tomlin left the Steelers due to a combination of personal reasons and the belief that new leadership was needed for the organization.
Tomlin described his decision as not being overnight and mentioned the loneliness in leadership, indicating it was a thoughtful choice.
Tomlin noted the Steelers' lack of playoff success in recent years as a factor in his decision to step down, suggesting a need for change.
Tomlin mentioned veteran players like Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Chris Boswell as deserving of the excitement that comes with new leadership.
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Aug 30, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) attempts to run past Virginia Military Institute Keydets defensive back Kouri Crump (26) after a reception during the second quarter at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a touchdown as Army West Point Black Knights safety Casey Larkin (20) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) runs by a diving Air Force Falcons defensive back Houston Hendrix (19) for a first half touchdown at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) can not secure a punt during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Dec 9, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2023; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes during the second half against the UAB Blazers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) runs with the ball against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
Jan 2, 2026; Memphis, TN, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) attempts to catch a pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) runs for a third quarter touchdown against the Army Black Knights at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
NavyĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes with the ball during the Liberty Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Jan. 2, 2026 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
NavyĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes with the ball during the Liberty Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Jan. 2, 2026 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
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Nov 15, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) runs by South Florida Bulls defensive back Fred Gaskin (5) during the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated South Florida Bulls 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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Nov 15, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) runs by South Florida Bulls defensive back Fred Gaskin (5) during the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated South Florida Bulls 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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Aug 30, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) attempts to run past Virginia Military Institute Keydets defensive back Kouri Crump (26) after a reception during the second quarter at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
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Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a touchdown as Army West Point Black Knights safety Casey Larkin (20) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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Oct 4, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) runs by a diving Air Force Falcons defensive back Houston Hendrix (19) for a first half touchdown at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
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Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
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Oct 4, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
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Oct 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) can not secure a punt during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Dec 9, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 11, 2023; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes during the second half against the UAB Blazers at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 27, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Navy Midshipmen wide receiver Eli Heidenreich (22) runs with the ball against the Memphis Tigers during the second half at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wesley Hale-Imagn Images
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Jan 2, 2026; Memphis, TN, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) attempts to catch a pass during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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Dec 14, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back Eli Heidenreich (22) runs for a third quarter touchdown against the Army Black Knights at Commanders Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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NavyĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes with the ball during the Liberty Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Jan. 2, 2026 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
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NavyĆ¢ā¬ā¢s Eli Heidenreich (22) rushes with the ball during the Liberty Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Jan. 2, 2026 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.
Here's to hoping Tomlin finds success and joy in his new endeavor as a sports analyst for NBC, where he'll have the opportunity to comment on his Steelers from afar.
For up-to-dateĀ SteelersĀ coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on XĀ @TheSteelersWireĀ and give ourĀ Facebook pageĀ a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin explains why he left Pittsburgh