Mike Tomlin has reportedly made final decision about coaching in 2026 after Steelers exit

Almost immediately after Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it was reported that he planned to "step away from coaching for at least a year." 

It appears such chatter didn't stop clubs in need of a head coach from reaching out about Tomlin's availability. 

What teams have been told about Mike Tomlin's intentions for 2026

"In the hours after Mike Tomlin told the Steelers he was stepping down, teams have contacted Tomlin to express their interest," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported. "[Pittsburgh has his rights, and draft compensation would be necessary. That said, teams were told Tomlin does not plan to coach next year."

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Steelers in June 2024 that included a team option for 2027. According to Joe Clark of Steelers Depot, ESPN's Peter Schrager made it known during Wednesday's edition of the "Get Up" program that the Steelers won't let Tomlin hit the open market anytime soon without receiving something in return for his services.

For Wednesday's episode of the "Pro Football Talk Live" show, NFL insider Mike Florio explained that "the Steelers will be entitled to compensation...at any point" if a club wants to hire Tomlin as a head coach. 

"The longer the time goes by in between, I think that depreciates," Florio added about what the Steelers could get in return for Tomlin, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Whatever it would take now to get Mike Tomlin, it's gonna be less a year from now. It'll be even less a year after that."

Which teams may have called about Mike Tomlin?

Theoretically, individuals running any team in need of a head coach could view Tomlin as a slam-dunk hire. He guided the Steelers to a Super Bowl title and never had a losing season across 19 campaigns with the organization. 

Specifically, some suggested after the New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll in November that they could explore a trade for Tomlin. On Tuesday, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti didn't slam the door shut on possibly wanting to hire Tomlin. That said, it seems unlikely the Steelers would trade Tomlin's rights to their biggest rival even for a so-called "'Godfather' offer" return. 

Tomlin may spend the 2026 season working as an on-air personality for Fox or one of the NFL's other media partners. Some felt he needed "a breather" and was "tired" even before he stepped away from the Steelers.