Ex-Steelers Star Willie Parker Can’t Believe Mike Tomlin Left…But, He’ll Be Back Coaching!
Published January 14, 2026 12:30 AM PST
Willie Parker admits he was shocked at Mike Tomlin’s decision to step away from the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Parker expressed his disbelief at the Super Bowl-winning head coach’s resignation but remains confident that Tomlin will return to coaching in the NFL.
The former Steelers running back star shared his thoughts shortly after Tomlin announced his departure, ending his nearly two-decade-long tenure as the NFL’s longest-tenured coach without a losing season.
“Man, it was surprising,” Parker said. “I never would have thought that he would be stepping down right now as a Steelers head coach.”
Parker praised Tomlin as one of the greatest coaches in the National Football League, emphasizing that despite the criticism and controversies surrounding the past season, Tomlin deserves recognition for his accomplishments.
With 5,378 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns in his six-year NFL career, including three years under Tomlin’s coaching, Parker believes that Tomlin will return to coaching when he feels ready.
“Who wouldn’t want a winner in the locker room?” Parker questioned. “I can understand if he wants to chill, but I can also understand if he wants to keep coaching and take his legacy even further.”
Amidst the already chaotic coaching cycle in the NFL, the possibility of Tomlin’s return to the sidelines adds another layer of intrigue to the league’s landscape. As fans eagerly await Tomlin’s next move, one thing is certain â his impact on the game will be remembered for years to come.
