Inside source repeats claims about Mike Tomlin leaving Steelers, alleged plans for future

It's no secret that NFL insider Jay Glazer of Fox Sports and former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin have a close relationship. 

Thus, one shouldn't be surprised that Glazer may know whether or not Tomlin is planning to make a return to coaching as soon as 2027.

Has Mike Tomlin leaked future plans to friends? 

"I think he's done," Glazer said about Tomlin's time as a coach during a Wednesday appearance on the "Nightcap" program, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "He told me and Ronde Barber two years ago. He was like, 'Hey, this is my plan. You can't say this. Don't show my hand. I'm telling you, you're my guy.'"

Tomlin served as the defensive backs coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Barber, a Hall of Famer, was playing for the franchise. Interestingly, Barber revealed in January that he previously learned from Tomlin that the 2025 season would be Tomlin's last as Pittsburgh's head coach. 

"I think he's done," Barber said at that time about Tomlin possibly serving as an NFL head coach for a different team down the road. "I think he wants to be done." 

For years, analysts and other insiders have said that the NFL's media partners were interested in eventually hiring Tomlin to work as an analyst and as an on-air personality. Shortly after he stepped down as Pittsburgh head coach in January, a report shared that Fox was "considered the favorite" to land Tomlin's services. 

Mike Tomlin seemingly was thinking about leaving Steelers for some time

"Last year, I thought he was gonna hang it up," Glazer added about Tomlin. "He decided one more. I thought he was gonna be done, so until it happens, it happens. But this year, kind of Week 8, I'm like, 'Hey man, anybody that's gonna change your mind?' 'Nope.' Okay, I said, 'Can I report it the last week?' 'Nope.'"

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension that included a team option for 2027 in June 2024. In January, he reportedly made it known he was "not interested in coaching anyone else's team right now." 

It sounds like some close to Tomlin think the 53-year-old isn't going to experience a change of heart about that anytime soon.