The phrase “we do not care Mike Tomlin” appears to be a sarcastic or mocking chant from Pittsburgh Steelers fans, reflecting frustration with head coach Mike Tomlin after a disappointing playoff exit in January 2026, right around the time he announced he was stepping down after 19 seasons as head coach.

What happened with Mike Tomlin?

After 19 seasons leading the Pittsburgh Steelers (2007–2025), Mike Tomlin announced in mid‑January 2026 that he was stepping down as head coach, ending one of the longest tenures in modern NFL history. His final season ended with a 30–6 wild‑card loss to the Houston Texans, a blowout that extended the Steelers’ postseason win drought to nine straight years (last playoff win: 2016).

Tomlin’s teams never had a losing regular season, but fans grew increasingly frustrated with repeated early playoff exits and lopsided losses in big games. After the Texans game, boos rang out at Acrisure Stadium, and fans were heard chanting variations of “We don’t care, Mike Tomlin!” — a clear sign that, despite his longevity and Super Bowl XLIII title, the fan base had lost patience.

Why fans said “we do not care Mike Tomlin”

The chant “we do not care Mike Tomlin” is a classic sports fan taunt, flipping the usual “We care about you, Coach!” into a dismissive, fed‑up message. In context, it means:

  • “We’re done with excuses; we want wins, not just .500 seasons.”
  • “Your legacy is safe, but we’re tired of losing in January.”
  • “We’re not loyal to the coach anymore; we’re loyal to the team winning.”

It’s similar to past fan chants like “Fire Mike Tomlin!” that have echoed in Pittsburgh after playoff failures, especially in recent years when the Steelers kept making the playoffs but couldn’t advance.

Tomlin’s legacy and what’s next

Tomlin leaves Pittsburgh with an impressive résumé: 1 Super Bowl title (XLIII), 2 AFC championships, 7 division titles, and 200+ career wins, all without a losing season. He’s widely respected around the league for his leadership and culture, but the lack of deep playoff runs in the second half of his tenure wore on fans.

With Tomlin stepping down, the Steelers are now searching for their first new head coach since 1969 (only Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Tomlin have held the job in over 50 years). That search will be one of the biggest NFL stories of the 2026 offseason, as Pittsburgh tries to rebuild a contender without its long‑time coach.

How fans and media reacted

  • Steelers fans: Many on social media and in forums echoed the “we do not care Mike Tomlin” sentiment, arguing that loyalty shouldn’t override results. Others defended him, pointing to his consistent regular‑season success and the difficulty of replacing a franchise icon.
  • Media: National outlets framed it as the end of an era, praising Tomlin’s consistency but noting that the nine‑year playoff win drought made his departure feel inevitable.
  • Tomlin’s response: In his farewell statement, he thanked the Rooney family, players, and fans, saying he stepped down “after much thought and reflection,” but made no direct mention of the chants or criticism.

Bottom line:
“We do not care Mike Tomlin” is a raw, fan‑driven reaction to years of playoff disappointment, crystallizing in January 2026 when Tomlin finally stepped down after 19 seasons in Pittsburgh. It’s less about hating the man and more about demanding a new era of winning football in the Steel City.