Even though he guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to an AFC North title and another playoff appearance, there is apparently no guarantee that Mike Tomlin will be back on the sideline for 2026.
In his weekly notes column, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cites a source close to Tomlin who believes there is at least a possibility that the longtime coach could step away from 2026. This is not a universal opinion, as others close to Tomlin fully expect him to see out the final season of his contract.
If Tomlin did leave the Steelers, it might not necessarily be for another coaching position. There is a belief that Tomlin would prefer to do television work instead of jumping right back into coaching, and he is believed to have “open invitations” from multiple networks if he opted to go that route.
Rumors about Tomlin possibly walking away have become almost an offseason ritual at this point. He never has, but the fact that this always seems to come up suggests at least some consideration is given to it on a yearly basis.
The situation is further complicated by Tomlin’s contract. He has one guaranteed year remaining, but the Steelers hold a team option for the 2027 season. If they do not pick it up, it could signal which way things are going in Pittsburgh.
Tomlin is the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, with a 193-114-2 lifetime record. If he left, it would mark an enormous change in the AFC North in light of what happened in Baltimore on Tuesday.
