Mike Tomlin Explains Why He Stepped Down as Steelers HC After 19 Seasons in New Video

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explained his decision to step down from the position after the 2025 season.

"Football is bigger than all of us and I never took myself so seriously that I thought that I was immune from that," Tomlin said during a Tuesday appearance on the Not Just Football podcast. "I never wanted to stay too long. Also, there's a cumulative component to coaching. I had 19 years of baggage and sometimes your teams have to carry your bags. I just thought that we had the making of a really good team, a team that's capable of competing for and winning a championship."

"But when I really started thinking about it, my bags might slow that down," he added. "I thought that guys like him and T.J. and others were deserving of the support that comes with transition. The optimism that comes with new regimes. I saw it in Tampa. I want that for those guys, even if it means it doesn't happen with me. I've seen everything this game has to offer. I've had the confetti rain down on me more than once. I want that for him, I want that for T.J. Watt. They're deserving. Even if it means it doesn't include me, I'm okay with that."

Tomlin served as the Steelers' head coach for 19 seasons from 2007-25.

He was the longest-tenured coach in the NFL until he announced that he was stepping down "after much thought and reflection" on Jan. 13.

Tomlin compiled a 193-114-2 record in Pittsburgh, as the team never finished with a losing record during any year he spent patrolling the sidelines. The Steelers made 13 playoff appearances under Tomlin, capturing a Super Bowl title during the 2008 season.

Pittsburgh struggled to make deep playoff runs near the end of his time with the organization, as the team has lost six consecutive postseason games.

The Steelers also finished at 10-7 before getting eliminated in the Wild Card round of the playoffs during each of Tomlin's final three seasons.

While he still experienced plenty of success during his time in Pittsburgh, he decided that the team needed a new voice in the locker room.

The Steelers are now in the midst of their first season with Mike McCarthy as head coach, currently sitting atop the AFC North standings with a 6-2 record.

As for Tomlin, he's been operating as a football analyst for NBC Sports.