The Pittsburgh Steelers had a golden opportunity to take firm control of the AFC North when they faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even after their opponents made a supposed upgrade at the quarterback spot by trading for Joe Flacco, the veteran had less than two full weeks with his new teammates, giving the Steelers a chance to create a sizeable lead in the division at 5-1.
However, in a throwback performance, Flacco dominated the Pittsburgh defense, leading the Bengals to a 33-31 victory. After his concern earlier in the week, it seemed like head coach Mike Tomlin’s worst nightmare had come to fruition on Thursday Night Football. Immediately after the game, a disappointed fan base wanted dramatic changes from the organization, including the removal of one of the most legendary coaches in NFL history.
Steelers Fans Aren’t Buying Into Mike Tomlin Anymore
This statistic is one of the most famous and absurd accomplishments across the league. Since taking over as Pittsburgh’s head coach, Tomlin has never had a losing record in a season.
A Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest defensive minds in football history, Tomlin has more than paid his dues. However, the last few years haven’t gone according to plan for the Steelers organisation.
Not only has the team not won a single playoff game in nearly a decade, but they’ve also struggled to find a sustainable answer at the most important position in the sport since Ben Roethlisberger called it a career.
All of those problems came to the forefront for fans, who watched their team have a chance to be a true threat in the AFC for the first time in the 2020s squander a golden opportunity against Cincinnati.
Facing Joe Flacco, whom Tomlin was aghast had become a member of the Bengals, the defense allowed him to throw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning drive that ended in a field goal, comfortably his best game of the season.
Fire tomlin everytime we can do something to pull ahead he drags us down
— T-Bone (@T_Bonezs) October 17, 2025
As they lost 33-31, fans were ready to pile all of the blame on their lead guy on the sideline. “Fire Tomlin. Every time we can do something to pull ahead, he drags us down,” one fan wrote, as a growing sentiment reached the social media stage.
Steelers should fire Tomlin in the morning. Not an overreaction. At some point embarrassing losses have to be stopped. Beyond angry with the franchise and expect the downward slip to begin now because of tonight. Pissed. #steelers #firetomlin bug eyes
— Dad (@The10Judge) October 17, 2025
Some didn’t even want to wait till the end of the season and wanted changes immediately, As one fan wrote, “Steelers should fire Tomlin in the morning. Not an overreaction. At some point embarrassing losses have to be stopped. Beyond angry with the franchise and expect the downward slip to begin now because of tonight. Pissed. #steelers #firetomlin bug eyes.”
Fire Tomlin during the post game conference
— Anthony (@AnthonyxNYC) October 17, 2025
Others had a similar, and in some cases, even more extreme reaction. “Steelers Fire Tomlin during the post-game conference.” After giving up a game-winning drive to a 40-year-old Flacco, fans’ anger came to the defense in particular.
Fire everyone!
Minimum DC gotta go. Tomlin a defensive mastermind? Then takeover. https://t.co/ngtgs7WzEj— Andrew Williams (@AMW_FC) October 17, 2025
If not a change at the head coaching spot, they wanted Tomlin to make an impact on his supposed specialty. One fan explained, “Fire everyone! Minimum DC gotta go. Tomlin a defensive mastermind? Then takeover.”
Heading into Week 7, the Steelers’ defense ranked 23rd in the league based on PFSN’s Defense Impact metric.
Joe Flacco is my favorite person in the world.
Fire Tomlin or lose forever, you stupid fucks. #Steelers
— Scarecrow (@WisTim55) October 17, 2025
Some fans believed the plight of the Steelers wasn’t going to change unless they made a drastic change in their head coaching spot. One fan made the sentiment crystal clear, writing, “Joe Flacco is my favorite person in the world. Fire Tomlin or lose forever, you stupid f**ks.”
