Steelers Now
J.J. Watt felt like the in-depth details of Mike Tomlin’s emotional final team meeting should have been kept in-house.
“Feels like this moment could have stayed in the meeting room,” Watt wrote on X.
J.J. Watt clarified that he wasn’t upset with Mike DeFabo of The Athletic for reporting on the emotional scenes from Mike Tomlin’s final team meeting. It was aimed at the people in the room that shared the moment.
Aaron Rodgers was reportedly sobbing when Tomlin stepped down on Tuesday. And kept apologizing to him non-stop.
J.J. Watt’s brother, T.J. Watt, was “visibly upset” and kept repeating the word “no” during Tomlin’s final speech to his team.
Rodgers probably wasn’t happy with the leak, either. He recently praised the Steelers for not having “any leaks in the boat” compared to when he was with the New York Jets.
Great reporting from Mike DeFabo in The Athletic. Aaron Rodgers was reportedly sobbing when Tomlin quit. And kept apologizing to him non-stop. Very interesting. pic.twitter.com/tL1myFH7Qn
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 15, 2026
Tomlin was profoundly respected in the locker room. He received a standing ovation after he finished his resignation speech to the team, according to DeFabo.
At the end of the meeting, Tomlin tipped his cap and went to the door. He gave every player a hug on their way out.
Steelers president Art Rooney II revealed during his Wednesday press conference that it was Tomlin’s decision to step down as the team’s head coach after 19 years.
Rooney added that “it was probably a family-related decision more than it was a football-related decision” with regards to Tomlin stepping down.
Rooney said he’ll leave it to Tomlin someday to explain his decision.
Rooney was willing to give it another run with Tomlin. Rooney what expecting to talk about Tomlin’s contract on Tuesday morning but the conversation went in a different direction.
“I wasn’t shocked, but I wasn’t expecting that conversation yesterday, either. … I was certainly willing to take another run at it next year with Mike,” Rooney said.
Rooney said he didn’t try to talk Tomlin out of his decision to walk away.
Tomlin indicated to Rooney that he wouldn’t be coaching again in the near future and wanted to spend time with his family.
“Right now that doesn’t seem to be on his radar,” Rooney said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: J.J. Watt Rips Steelers’ Players for Locker Room Leak
