Three best fits for Mike Tomlin if Steelers tenure ends

Tomlin’s standing with the Steelers is so unstable that even his former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger agrees it may be best for all parties to move on. 

“Maybe it is ‘clean-house’ time. Maybe it is time,” Roethlisberger said on his “Footbahlin’” podcast. “I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin. But maybe it’s best for him, too. Maybe a fresh start for him is what’s best.”

Even if Tomlin is let go from Pittsburgh, however, his pedigree and reputation as one of the best defensive minds of the 21st century will make him one of the hottest coaching commodities this cycle. Here are the three best landing spots for Tomlin in 2026. 

3.  Arizona Cardinals 

The Cardinals have been far more competitive than their 3-9 record would suggest. Seven of their nine losses have come by one score, and they have come within a whisker of beating the seemingly playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts. The offensive trio of Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Michael Wilson has performed much better with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, while 2025 draft picks Walter Nolen III and Will Johnson have flashed game-changing potential on defense. Though Tomlin may not be the ideal choice for a team with quarterback question marks, he could help maximize a talented defense in a way that Jonathan Gannon could not. 

2.  New York Giants

Compared to many of the other teams that will pick at the top of the draft, the Giants have a lot to offer potential coaching candidates. They appear to have their franchise quarterback in Jaxson Dart, and both Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers will return next year to an offense that has still managed to score points in their absence. Their offensive line is as strong as it has been in years, and while their defense has fallen apart in far too many critical moments this season, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence and Abdul Carter still form a tantalizing nucleus. The Giants have the talent to turn things around in a hurry, and an experienced coach like Tomlin could help them turn all their heartbreaking losses into hard-fought victories. 

1. Cincinnati Bengals 

Though Zac Taylor has survived a lot during his Bengals tenure, a third straight missed postseason appearance in a down year for both the Baltimore Ravens and Steelers may be enough for ownership to look for a change. In such a scenario, Tomlin would be an ideal candidate for a team that already has a championship-level offense. With Joe Burrow, Chase Brown, Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase under contract for the next few years, Tomlin can turn his attention to doing what he does best: Rebuilding a defense that ranks 32nd in both points and yards allowed. It remains to be seen whether the Bengals' ownership will pay up for the coach that has tormented them for so many years, but it’s clear that Tomlin is their best chance at fixing a dormant defense.