On Tuesday, just before news broke of his resignation, Mike Tomlin gathered the Pittsburgh Steelers for one last meeting. Inside that room, players felt a wave of shock and sadness. This hit hard, especially for stars like quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker T.J. Watt.
In a tell-all piece by The Athletic, several players shared their emotions from that moment. Watt appeared visibly shaken. Surrounded by teammates Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith, he repeatedly whispered, “No. No. No” as Tomlin spoke, his eyes filled with tears.
As the meeting concluded, the entire team rose for a standing ovation. Tomlin tipped his cap and walked toward the door. A line formed as players exchanged hugs and heartfelt words with their now-former coach.
Rodgers was particularly affected. After joining the Steelers in June, he was optimistic about changing the team’s fortunes. He stated that Tomlin was a major reason for his decision to play rather than retire. Despite their hopes, the Steelers faced disappointment, falling to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round. In what could have been his last words as a Steeler, Rodgers tearfully defended Tomlin, saying, “I’m sorry,” to him during the meeting.
A day later, many players felt the impact of Tomlin’s departure. One recalled, “You’re going to make me cry again,” pausing several times as he reminisced about that emotional meeting. The moment Tomlin spoke about players’ futures, anticipation turned into disbelief.
A prevailing sentiment among the team was guilt. They wished they could have done more for Tomlin. One player summarized this feeling: “He’s the only coach we wanted to win for. We felt the pressure to get that winning monkey off his back.”
Tomlin’s departure comes at a time when his record as the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL is under the microscope. Over the past season, players faced scrutiny from both fans and media. Many blamed the team’s struggles on Tomlin, emphasizing that he bore the brunt of the criticism.
According to a recent survey by ESPN, 64% of fans believe coaching makes a significant difference in a team’s success. This reflects the immense pressure head coaches face, especially in cities with passionate fan bases like Pittsburgh.
Social media buzzed with reactions to Tomlin’s resignation. Many fans expressed their respect for his long tenure, while others dissected what went wrong during the last season. A recurring theme was the admiration for Tomlin’s leadership style and ability to connect with players.
In the end, Tomlin’s departure marks a significant change for the Steelers. As the team grieves the loss of their coach, they also reflect on a new chapter ahead.
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Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL
