For a franchise that’s been stuck in football purgatory, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills came at a much higher cost: it’s showing too many signs of repeating the same cycle it has for eight years. Now, as the Steelers Nation, too, boo and chant to fire head coach Mike Tomlin, the question is, will owner Art Rooney really do anything about it? Dejan Kovacevic of Pittsburgh Sports has an answer.

“I do get the sense that this year’s different in some ways internally. But as far as figuring how Rooney might react, it’s best for now to keep both eyes on the field,” Kovacevic essentially said, breaking down how Rooney’s decision, whatever it may be, will not be influenced by the crowd’s reaction or what anyone thinks but his own. Here are a couple of things to consider when it comes to Rooney’s decision-making process, according to the insider:

• His decision won’t hinge on the Steelers being technically tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the conference lead or holding their fate in their own hands with two matchups left against Baltimore. It also won’t center on Tomlin’s 6–11 stretch over his last 17 games or the coaching staff’s missteps over the past 13 weeks.
  Instead, Rooney’s thinking falls into two familiar patterns. First, he simplifies everything down to one question: Did we win or not? Kovacevic notes that Rooney focuses on results, not the noise around him.
• The second layer is Rooney’s independence. He isn’t easily swayed by public sentiment or the opinions of the minority owners. He trusts his own judgment and the “Steelers Way,” which often means sticking with leadership through adversity rather than reacting to outside pressure. It’s the very reason why the franchise has had just three HCs in the last 56 years.

Case in point, the Steelers’ last season: even after a five-game collapse, Rooney’s first instinct in conversation was to highlight the team’s 10–3 start, not the meltdown that ended their season with a 10-7 record. It is not to say that he doesn’t understand the fan frustration. But his mindset after last year’s collapse provided a glimpse of where he stands regarding Tomlin or any decision for the Steelers.

“My inbox has been pretty full. I have a sense,” the owner said. “And I share the frustration. It’s very disappointing. I understand why people are mad. All I can say is actions speak louder than words, and we’ve got to be better.”

Now, with the Steelers sitting at 6–6 and tied for first, Rooney is far more likely to view the situation through that same cool, hopeful lens. After all, they were 4-1 after six weeks. And while Tomlin didn’t let out his frustrations, he did promise to show what the team can do in the final stretch of the 2025 NFL season.

That’s who he is.

Even with fans calling for Tomlin’s job, internal support crashing, and the Steelers stumbling through the past few weeks, Rooney isn’t rushing anything. But there have been signs.

Team insider Gerry Dulac previously reported that team owner Art Rooney II is growing increasingly exasperated with Tomlin’s failures. If the team drops another game, Tomlin might be shown the door after the season, even if his contract runs through 2027. However, while the fanbase’s opinion has seemingly shifted, it might not have for the ownership.

For them, it’s about whether the team can still win and if the coach’s approach is fixable. For one, Tomlin believes it is.

Mike Tomlin agrees as fans show frustration with the HC

The Steelers, with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers under the center, started strong this season. We’re talking about 4-1 in the first five weeks. Fast forward to now, and the team has fallen to 6-6, losing five of its last seven games. The 26-7 loss to the Bills was the latest arrow to an already fragile season.

But that loss wasn’t the only thing that stung Tomlin. It was the boos and chants of firing the head coach. And you can tell why. The Steelers, at one point, were leading 7-6. When Rodgers exited to treat his bleeding nose and returned, the game had unraveled.

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To make it uglier, the fans responded with boos during the Renegade, and the chants of “Fire Tomlin” broke out. It was something that Mike Tomlin could relate to.

“Man, I share their frustration tonight. We didn’t do enough. That’s just the reality of it. So, we’ve got to absorb that result. We’re certainly not going to feel sorry for ourselves. That’s just the business we’re in,” Tomlin said after the game.

The Steelers mustered only 90 yards through three quarters and finished with just 166 total yards. On third down, they converted a rough 3-of-9. The problem becomes glaring as the team heavily relied on a quick, precision passing game and yards after the catch earlier in the season. Now, the inability to attack downfield has made third-and-long situations nearly impossible to convert. Then there’s the lack of a WR2 as the current receivers struggle to create separation and be on the same page as the QB.

Individually, Rodgers completed only 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards and no TDs, and even coughed up a fumble. Backup QB Mason Rudolph went 0 for 3 and threw an interception.

“I believe in the coaching staff,” Rodgers said. “I believe in Mike Tomlin. That’s why I came here. Players need to take accountability. Myself included. And I will. I will continue to. I’ve got to play better.”

And the defense? Somehow even worse.

Pittsburgh gave up 249 rushing yards, the most an opponent has ever put up at Acrisure Stadium.

While the fans’ calls for change grow louder, all signs point to Art Rooney trusting the ‘Steelers Way,’ leaving Tomlin’s fate dependent on results, not noise, as a crucial divisional matchup looms.

Looking back at it, the chaotic Week 13 at Acrisure was intense. But will it affect Tomlin’s job or not? That’s all up to Art Rooney. The Steelers will look to improve their record. Things will kick off next week with a divisional matchup against the Ravens on the road. Tomlin is confident about a turnaround as he promised, “Keep watching.” Heading down the final month of the season, that’s what the Steelers Nation will indeed do.