The Pittsburgh Steelers got a big win in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens to retake the AFC North lead and have total control of their destiny. This all came just one week after fans demanded that the team fires Head Coach Mike Tomlin. This win will likely keep those chants down for now, but they will continue to be restless until a playoff game is finally won. At this point, his squad will most likely be the home team in the Wild Card Round, but that doesn't matter if they're down by 20+ points by the second quarter again.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin prior to a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens.
During his weekly Q&A chat, insider Brian Batko was asked about this 2027 option that just came to light on Saturday and what the Steelers will do about it. He explained his thoughts and why it can be a bit confusing.
"Here's how I look at it: The option is clearly written into it for a reason," Batko said. "It has to mean something. But the Steelers not exercising it would be akin to simply moving on from Tomlin, so no, I don't think they would decline it. Should they? Well, I'm fairly sure that's the argument/debate/discussion we and millions of others have about Tomlin every day."
Batko is right. There has to be some reason that there is a club option that can be rejected. It's pointless if the front office feels like Tomlin has earned a lifetime contract and can just leave whenever he feels, like many reports have previously stated. There has to be some benchmark that has to be hit for them to feel that he has earned another year on the team.
AP Photo
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
If Batko is right about the Steelers accepting the 2027 option, the standards of ownership really come into question. Art Rooney II has been accused of not caring about the product on the field as long as he is making money. He has also been accused of prioritizing tradition and putting up a facade of greatness over actually trying to be great. He claims to be frustrated with the lack of playoff success, but not declining the option would show otherwise.
If that ends up being the case, that is the worst bit of news that Steeler Nation could possibly receive. Complacency setting in means no real attempts will be made to fix the team and get them over the hump. A decent regular season would be the new standard, and there would be no drive to push for greatness. Rooney has to show that he truly wants to win, or else the angry fans will be replaced with empty seats at Acrisure Stadium.
Steelers Could Benefit In 2026 From Tomlin's Option Being Declined
As mentioned before, the Steelers got a crucial divisional win in Week 14 right after all the "Fire Tomlin" chants popped up. That was the best offensive performance since the Week 7 loss on Thursday Night Football, and the defense managed to bend and not break despite only snagging one takeaway. With their backs to the wall and fans angrily demanding that radical changes get made, the whole team stepped up and put on a quality performance.
Karl Roster / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf hauls in a long pass during during Pittsburgh's 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The same could possibly happen in the 2026 season. If Tomlin's option gets declined, it would be a direct message that he needs to be better, or else he could lose his job. He has the ability to be an elite coach, but stubbornness has held him back. Putting him on the hot seat could be what he needs to swallow his pride and make the needed decisions that he has refused to make in recent years.
What do you think about the situation surrounding Tomlin and his 2027 option? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation
