BroBible
Mike Tomlin stepped down from his post as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach after nearly 20 years. He will not roam the sidelines in the Steel City come 2026.
That resignation brings about the possibility of an interesting scenario should he choose to coach again for another team. Since he was not fired, the franchise technically retains his rights.
Tomlin took over in 2007. He won his first Super Bowl title in 2008. Across 19 seasons, the head coach posted a 193-114-2 regular season record. He never had a losing campaign while at the helm.
With that being said, the organization had fallen into a bit of a cycle under his leadership of late. The Steelers were always just good enough for playoff consideration but never truly in Super Bowl contention.
Pittsburgh made the postseason in five of Tomlin’s last six years. They lost their first game each time, with the latest being a 30-6 setback against Houston.
Many around the team were ready to move on. They got their wish this offseason.
Statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II on Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/1g5iqKi9MN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 13, 2026
The coach signed a contract extension in 2024 to keep him in Pittsburgh through the ’27 season. He has two years left on his deal.
He was not fired. The Steelers retain his rights.
Because Tomlin resigned while still under contract, the Steelers will retain his coaching rights and could negotiate compensation if he returns to an NFL sideline before the end of the 2027 season.
–ESPN
Whether they will exercise their power is yet to be seen. It would require Tomlin returning to coaching before the end of the ’27 campaign.
We saw a similar situation unfold in New Orleans with Sean Payton. The coach retired in January of 2022. A year later, he returned to the sidelines.
He was still under contract with the Saints. As a result, the Broncos had to give up a first- and second-round draft pick for his services.
Should Mike Tomlin return before his contract with Pittsburgh ends, his next team might have to make a similar deal.
This is important: Mike Tomlin leaving the organization means the #Steelers will retain his rights. He was NOT fired.
It seems likely he’ll take a year off, possibly do TV, and then become a trade candidate next year, similar to Sean Payton when the #Saints held his rights and… https://t.co/Mq8wQYQr27 pic.twitter.com/gpKVdjSKEI
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 13, 2026
The Dolphins and Giants are two organizations in search of new coaches in 2026. The division rival Ravens are also on the hunt to find John Harbaugh’s replacement.
Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti was asked about the possibility of pursuing Tomlin this offseason.
“Holy s—, wouldn’t that be awesome?” he joking responded when asked of the team’s potential interest. “Only if John [Harbaugh] takes the Pittsburgh...
