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Pittsburgh Steelers players shared details about Mike Tomlin’s emotional final meeting with the team, and former NFL star JJ Watt took issue with the players.
Watt, whose brother TJ Watt is mentioned in the report as being upset that Tomlin also left, felt the moment could have stayed in the locker room. JJ Watt retweeted a segment of The Athletic’s report in which Aaron Rodgers told Tomlin he was sorry, through sobs.
“Feel like this moment could have stayed in the boardroom,” Watt wrote on X.
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JJ Watt (99) of the Arizona Cardinals runs onto the field during player introductions prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2023. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
TJ Watt had always been a big advocate for Tomlin and even said in his contract negotiations that he didn’t want to play for anyone but the longtime head coach. When Tomlin told the team he was retiring, Watt repeatedly said, “No,” as his eyes welled up.
JJ Watt added that he would have preferred them inside the room to keep the intimate details to themselves rather than share them.
That meeting was the last of Tomlin’s big tenure with the Steelers. In 19 seasons, Tomlin went 193-114-2 and won the AFC North eight times, making the Super Bowl twice and winning once.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on January 4, 2026. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
It is unclear if Tomlin will coach next season or if he will take a season off. The 53-year-old is coveted by a number of television networks that have shown interest in hiring him as an analyst, according to The Athletic.
The Steelers, who are conducting only their fourth head coaching search since 1969, have already conducted interviews or have scheduled interviews with the following candidates, according to multiple reports:
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) leave the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore, Maryland on December 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Nate Scheelhaase – Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator
Chris Shula – Rams defensive coordinator
Anthony Weaver – Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator
Jesse Minter – Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator
Brian Flores – Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
Ejiro Evero – Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator
Jeff Hafley – Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator
Klay Kubiak – San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator
