Mike Tomlin Would Consider Another Coaching Job

The long-time coach will spend the upcoming campaign as a broadcaster with NBC, but that gig could be short-lived. Tomlin admitted that he’d consider a return to the sideline after the upcoming season…assuming the right opportunity comes his way.

“It’s certainly not a 32-team league for me, but I’ve also learned to never say never,” Tomlin told Pro Football Focus’ Cris Collinsworth. “I love to coach. I love all the challenges of the profession. I love to be a part of growth and development of young people individually. I love the measurement of the seven-day cycle, but also have enjoyed, man, the last six months life on this other side that I had no idea about.”

Following his collegiate playing career, Tomlin immediately entered the coaching ranks when he guided wide receivers at the Virginia Military Institute in 1995. He got his first NFL job in 2001 when he joined Tony Dungy in Tampa Bay as the Bucs defensive backs coach. He kept his job when Jon Gruden took over on the sideline, and Tomlin eventually parlayed his Buccaneers gig into a defensive coordinator job with the Vikings.

The stop in Minnesota only lasted one year, as the Steelers hired Tomlin to be Bill Cowher’s replacement in Pittsburgh. Tomlin ended up spending 19 seasons as the Steelers head coach, earning 13 playoff appearances and a Super Bowl title. The franchise also never finished with a losing record during his tenure.

Following three-straight seasons of 10-7 records and one-and-done playoff appearances, Tomlin resigned from his post in January. It was estimated that seven teams reached out to Tomlin about joining their organization (including the Giants for their HC vacancy), but the 54-year-old made it clear that he doesn’t intend to coach in 2026. If Tomlin does consider returning to the NFL in 2027, he’ll likely find himself as the top candidate during next year’s hiring cycle.