When the Pittsburgh Steelers gathered for their team meeting after their crushing playoff exit against the Texans, they likely expected the usual end-of-season tone about lessons and the path ahead. But instead, they were left stunned as Mike Tomlin informed his players that he was stepping down as head coach.
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Tomlin ended a 19-year tenure. That’s overseeing multiple generations of athletes, building their careers, and managing their campaigns. According to former NFL wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh, the reaction inside the locker room was, as expected, one of deep shock and sadness.
On the Speakeasy podcast, Houshmandzadeh revealed just how heavy the moment felt for players who had largely grown up in Tomlin’s culture. “I talked to a couple [of] guys that’s in that locker room, and they were shocked,” he began.
“They said, ‘You literally could hear a pin drop.’ When Mike was up talking to the team, you could hear a pin drop… Everybody was just like, mouth to the floor,” the former Bengals wideout revealed.
For nearly two decades, Tomlin had been the constant in Pittsburgh. And he presided over 19 straight seasons without a losing record, a Super Bowl title, and multiple AFC North crowns.
Even in recent years, when playoff wins were next to none under his kitty, players never sensed that Tomlin’s grip on the locker room had weakened. Nor did the Rooney family ever hint at a life post-Tomlin. It took everyone by surprise, and most players seemed to be devastated.
The next detail Houshmandzadeh shared made the moment even heavier.
“Everybody he hugged… everybody… and they couldn’t believe that he was really stepping down. From what I gathered, they were sad. The best players on the team… If something was off, it would’ve gotten out. And it didn’t,” said Houshmandzadeh.
“It wasn’t like ownership forced him out… Mike Tomlin wanted to step away for whatever reason, and he did,” T.J. added.
So why walk away now? Well, Houshmandzadeh believes that the years of noise and criticism about his playoff win drought finally became impossible to ignore for Tomlin.
“I think all the noise, all the chatter… it probably got to him,” Houshmandzadeh said. “‘Oh, y’all think y’all better without me? All right. I’m gonna give you that… It’s been a long run.’”
Despite always playing against Tomlin in his career, T.J. was honest enough to admit that he would have enjoyed the prospect of playing under him. It’s because Tomlin always lets his players be themselves while still demanding accountability.
“Mike Tomlin is a players’ coach, but you ain’t running over him… I would have loved to play for Mike Tomlin. He lets you be you, but he’s gonna keep you in line at the same time… I got nothing but the utmost respect for him,” Houshmandzadeh said.
While the Speakeasy analyst believes Tomlin will definitely be back to coaching soon, recent reports indicate that the longtime Steelers HC is interested in becoming a pundit, most likely replacing Matt Ryan at CBS.
However, considering how legendary and consistent Tomlin has been in his tenure in Pittsburgh, it’s only a matter of time before an NFL club convinces him to join their side.
