At a Glance
- Mike Tomlin told his players he is stepping down after 19 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers sobbed and repeatedly told the coach “I’m sorry” after hearing the news
- Linebacker T.J. Watt kept repeating “no,” while cornerback Joey Porter Jr. nearly hyperventilated
- Why it matters: The emotional exit signals the end of one of the NFL’s most stable eras and leaves Rodgers, 42, weighing retirement
The Pittsburgh Steelers meeting room felt “like a funeral” on the night head coach Mike Tomlin informed his team he was stepping down, according to a report in The Athletic published Thursday, Jan. 15. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was among the players overwhelmed with emotion, sobbing and telling Tomlin “I’m sorry” over and over.
The Moment Tomlin Delivered the News
Players lined up one by one to say goodbye to the only coach many of them have known. Linebacker T.J. Watt reportedly kept repeating “no” upon learning Tomlin’s decision. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr., whose father starred for the Steelers in the 1990s, almost began hyperventilating.
The 53-year-old coach gave no hint of hesitation, saying he will now spend time with his wife Kiya and their three adult children.
Rodgers’ Long-Standing Respect for Tomlin
Rodgers’ admiration for Tomlin stretches back to Super Bowl XLV in 2011, when the quarterback’s Green Bay Packers defeated Tomlin’s Steelers on the sport’s biggest stage. That respect led the 42-year-old signal-caller to sign a one-year contract with Pittsburgh last off-season, calling the move “best for my soul.”
> “This was a decision that was best for my soul, and I felt like being here with coach [Mike Tomlin] and the guys that got here and the opportunity here was the best for me,” Rodgers told reporters in June.
He defended Tomlin throughout the season, including hours after the team’s wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Texans. When asked again Monday night about the coach’s job security, Rodgers grew testy.
> “Mike T’s had more success than damn-near anybody in the league for the last 19-20 years,” he said. “More than that, though, when you have the right guy and the culture is right, you don’t think about making a change.”
What Comes Next
Tomlin’s exit ends a 19-season tenure that produced two Super Bowl appearances and a championship in 2008. The Steelers now begin their first head-coaching search since 2007.
Rodgers, who just completed his 21st NFL season, faces his own crossroads. The emotional farewell underscores the finite nature of football careers and leaves the veteran quarterback contemplating whether he has another season left.
Key Takeaways
- Mike Tomlin informed the Steelers he is stepping down after 19 seasons
- Aaron Rodgers, T.J. Watt, and Joey Porter Jr. were visibly emotional after hearing the news
- Rodgers signed with Pittsburgh specifically to play for Tomlin, calling it a “soul” decision
- Tomlin plans to spend time with family; Rodgers’ future remains uncertain
