Steelers Now
An unnamed Pittsburgh Steelers player told Mike DeFabo of The Athletic that players had problems with Arthur Smith and Teryl Austin, but not Mike Tomlin.
“Every player in that building wants to play for Mike T,” said the player. “Were guys upset with coordinators? Yes. Was it the head guy? No.”
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.
A Steelers player tells Mike DeFabo in the Athletic that players had problems with Arthur Smith and Teryl Austin. But NOT Mike Tomlin. I’m sorry. Why are those coordinators here? Because of Mike Tomlin. It’s his fault. pic.twitter.com/VyLqQJNDpC
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 15, 2026
Smith and Austin certainly left a lot to be desired. The defense fell well short of the “historic” expectations, ranking 17th in points allowed, 28th in total yards and 29th in pass defense. Blown coverage and communication issues were constant problems with Austin as the DC.
Tomlin was heavily involved with the defense, so he’s not blameless. Tomlin also hired Austin and Smith to be his coordinators.
The offense improved under Smith, but his personnel usage was still confusing. Especially with how he utilized tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Steelers president Art Rooney II revealed during his Wednesday press conference that he does not think anyone on the staff currently will be a candidate for the vacant head coach position.
“Right now, I don’t think anybody on our staff is a candidate,” Rooney said. “Maybe a candidate to stay on the staff depending on what the new head coach wants to do, but probably not as a head coach.”
Smith is the only one that could have been seen as a candidate. The fact that he’s not even getting an interview suggests that the organization wasn’t pleased with how things ended.
There is a chance that Smith could stay on the staff with a new head coach. But given DeFabo’s report, that seems unlikely.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Report: Steelers Players Were Upset with Coordinators, Not Mike Tomlin
