Pittsburg ? The Bill Cowher countdown began Monday for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who soon may be looking for a new coach for only the second time since 1969.

The Steelers, the first Super Bowl winner in four years to miss the playoffs the following season, held their final team meeting with Cowher on Monday. Some players felt it was exactly that – the last time they will meet with Cowher, who is clearly leaning toward resigning after 15 seasons in Pittsburgh.

Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca sensed it was Cowher’s goodbye, saying it was evident during the Steelers’ 23-17 overtime victory Sunday at Cincinnati and again Monday that Cowher may be moving on.

“I think he’s definitely leaning toward calling it a day,” Faneca said. “But you never know.”

There are two possible replacements on Cowher’s staff in offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and offensive line coach Russ Grimm, each of whom has been a finalist for an NFL head coaching job.