Former Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen recently provided insight into Mike Tomlin’s final address to the team following the longtime head coach’s resignation. Tomlin, who led Pittsburgh for 19 seasons,
announced his decision to step down on January 13, one day after the Steelers suffered their seventh consecutive playoff loss.
Speaking on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast, Thielen reflected on the emotional nature of Tomlin’s final meeting with players. According to Thielen, the resignation came as a shock to much of the locker room, with many players caught off guard by the announcement. He echoed sentiments shared by others around the organization, describing the moment as both surprising and deeply emotional, given Tomlin’s long-standing presence and influence.
“It was kind of like his normal, like after-game meeting, whether you win or lose,” Thielen said. “He was talking about his appreciation for the effort and things like that. ”And the last thing was like, by the way, I’m going to step down…I think it was most emotional because the way he said it was like he wasn’t good enough. And that’s when it gets emotional because I’m like no, no no, I didn’t do a good enough job. Whether you were a coach or a player you were probably like man, if I would have done a better job, this probably wouldn’t have been happening.”
Thielen’s comments came shortly after he officially announced his retirement following a 13-season NFL career. The veteran wide receiver joined the Steelers late in the season after being claimed off waivers in early December, seeking an opportunity to compete in the postseason. While Pittsburgh’s playoff run was brief, Thielen noted that the chance to play meaningful football late in the year factored into his decision to continue his career one final time.
As for Tomlin, he has yet to speak publicly since his resignation. While no formal plans have been announced, league observers widely believe he will take at least one season away from coaching. Tomlin departs as one of the most respected head coaches in NFL history, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with former and current players alike.
