The Pittsburgh Steelers don't appear ready to break from tradition.
Head coach Mike Tomlin will not be fired despite mounting criticism, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday.
However, the Steelers must decide on a contract option for 2027 as of March 1, Schefter reported. Otherwise, Tomlin's deal is set to expire after next season.
Tomlin has held the job since 2007 and led Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl title in his first season. The Steelers have not fired a coach in 82 years.
However, Tomlin has faced increasing heat as the Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016, a stretch that includes five losses and two missed post-seasons, despite a streak of 18 straight non-losing seasons.
Recently, Steelers icons Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison suggested that it might be time for the team to part ways with the 53-year-old Tomlin.
The Steelers are known for giving coaches long runways. Chuck Noll coached the team from 1969-1991 before retiring while Bill Cowher was at the helm from 1992-2006 before resigning. Tomlin replaced Cowher.
Audible "fire Tomlin" chants could be heard from Steelers fans during Sunday's 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills that dropped Pittsburgh to 6-6.
"I share their frustrations tonight. We didn't do enough. That's just the reality of it," Tomlin told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Christopher Carter after the game.
The Steelers are still tied for the AFC North lead with the Baltimore Ravens. The two teams square off Sunday, but patience is growing thin in the Steel City.
-- with files from The Associated Press
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