Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin Informs Steelers He's Leaving
The Steelers lost their seventh straight playoff game under Head Coach Mike Tomlin. The next day, he informed the team he's leaving, per multiple reports.
Tomlin, the NFL's longest-tenured head coach, has captured a Super Bowl and has never suffered a losing season during his 19-year run. However, the Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016 and didn't come close to winning on Monday night.
Pittsburgh did not score a touchdown, and the Texans dominated the second half. That was not the way Tomlin envisioned this season ending, and there were more chants of "Fire Tomlin" coming from fans at Acrisure Stadium near the end of the game.
The Steelers became the first team in NFL history to lose five straight playoff games by double digits, according to ESPN Research. Seven straight playoff losses is the most since Marvin Lewis had the same streak (2005-2015).
Several players defended Tomlin, including 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who may have played the last game of his career. Whether or not Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, he called the notion of Tomlin being on the hot seat "a joke".
As for his own future, Rodgers said he would take his time.
"I'm not going to make any emotional decisions," Rodgers said.
While Rodgers is a pending free agent, Tomlin is under contract for two more seasons. The Steelers must make a decision on Tomlin's club option for the 2027 season by March 1.
Cleveland Browns: Jim Schwartz's Next Move Remains to Be Seen
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has been interviewed to become Cleveland's next head coach. The Ravens have also reportedly requested to interview Schwartz for their head coaching position.
Whether Schwartz leaves Cleveland remains to be seen. However, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network has reported the Browns want to keep Schwartz on staff in some capacity.
Cleveland parted ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski after the season, but its defense has been among the league's best during Schwartz's three years in Cleveland. The Browns ranked first in yards allowed in Schwartz's first season in Cleveland (2023) and were fourth last year.
Cincinnati Bengals: Duke Tobin Feels Bengals 'Are Championship Caliber Team'
The Bengals finished 6-11 and were seriously hampered by franchise quarterback Joe Burrow missing nine games. With Burrow finishing the year healthy, Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin doesn't see the need to make wholesale changes this offseason, especially on offense.
"On offense, I would put our talent up against any team in the league," Tobin said at his season-review press conference. "It's better than most. Now it's got to stay healthy and produce.
"We feel like we're a championship caliber team. We're 6-11. 'How could you feel that way? You're an idiot.' Well, that's the way I feel."
