Ex-Steeler Antonio Brown calls for Mike Tomlin to be fired, campaigns for history-making 34-win College Football HC as replacement

The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again in familiar territory, which most fans would term NFL purgatory. Every year, the Steelers end up in the Goldilocks zone of being just good enough to make the playoffs but not good enough to advance to the next round.

To his credit, it seems like Tomlin's record of never having a losing season in Pittsburgh has given fans just enough hope every season that this year will be different. It wasn't, though.

The Baltimore Ravens easily dispatched the Steelers, thanks largely to Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry wreaking havoc, seemingly at will. With that loss, questions have once again been raised on Tomlin's future with the franchise. Former Steelers All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown believes Tomlin's time is up.

Brown seemingly believes that Tomlin and the Steelers should part ways and already has an idea of who Pittsburgh should pursue to replace him - Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman.

Freeman made history as the first Black and the first Asian American coach to lead a team to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. He has a coaching record of 34-9.

The 39-year-old coach, who was formerly Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, is in his third year with the team. However, it appears unlikely he will leave the Fighting Irish. Freeman revealed that the team will soon announce a contract extension.

"About a week or two ago, they announced another long contract here at Notre Dame. So I don’t think we have anything to worry about,” Freeman told SportsCenter.

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Exploring potential replacements for Mike Tomlin

It appears unlikely, but on the off chance the Steelers and Tomlin part ways, they will become the seventh team with a coach vacancy along with the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders.

There are more than a few candidates the Steelers could take a look at, but they may want to line up interviews sooner rather than later.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is arguably the most wanted man in the 2025 coaching carousel along with his colleague, DC Aaron Glenn. The Steelers could also look at someone like Minnesota Vikings DC Brian Flores or Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury.