Could Mike Tomlin walk away as Steelers head coach?
Aug 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Tomlin is one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the NFL. But he may be ready to move on from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke on ESPN Monday to discuss the status of many coaches across the NFL ahead of the busy “Black Monday.” The reporter shared some interesting information regarding Tomlin.
“He’s got a year left on his contract. And there are some people around the league who believe that Mike Tomlin could decide, eventually, to take some time off, like Sean Payton did. Maybe take a year off. We’ll see if that’s something that is on his mind,” Schefter said.
Schefter even mentioned the Commanders and Chargers as teams that might have interest in Tomlin if he became available.
Adam Schefter had some interesting insight regarding Mike Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh on Sunday's ESPN NFL Countdown. pic.twitter.com/rXqy6EVOFA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 8, 2024
Schefter further raised the possibility of Tomlin leaving the Steelers during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
"I don't know what Mike Tomlin is gonna do but I can tell you that people out there in the league think after this season he could walk away..
If Pittsburgh didn't want him he would get a job right away" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Pmtgb20SQn
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 8, 2024
Tomlin has been the Steelers’ head coach since 2007. He won a Super Bowl in his second season on the job and led the team to another Super Bowl appearance in his fourth year in the job. The Steelers have never had a losing record under Tomlin, which is a major testament to his coaching ability. But the team’s fan base has grown unhappy with the team’s unproductive offense and inability to win a postseason game; they haven’t won a playoff game since 2017.
Many Steelers fans are frustrated with Tomlin, which makes him underappreciated. As Schefter said, Tomlin would be hired instantly if the 51-year-old were to become available.