Mike Tomlin's role within Steelers organization may suddenly not be done

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be moving on without longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, but it is not in the way many fans expected. 

Over the past several seasons, there were calls from fans for Tomlin to be fired, with some believing his voice and approach had grown stale. Yet sometimes two things can be true. Tomlin can still be effective at what he does, while the team may also need a change after nearly two decades of the same leadership. Now, the Steelers face the challenge of finding their next head coach, a role they rarely have to fill, having had only three head coaches since 1969.

One of Tomlin’s former backup quarterbacks, Charlie Batch, recently spoke about Tomlin’s decision to step away from the team. Batch revealed that the Steelers still hold Tomlin’s rights through the 2026 season and that the club has an option for 2027. This detail suggests that while Tomlin is stepping down as head coach, the organization could be keeping its doors open for potential involvement in the future. Batch’s comments highlight both the respect the franchise has for Tomlin and the strategic flexibility it is maintaining as it searches for a new leader.

Could Mike Tomlin still stay involved with Steelers?

During the ESPN "Unsportsmanlike" show, one of the co-hosts asked whether Steelers owner Art Rooney II might involve Tomlin in the search for his successor. Batch gave a nuanced response that hinted Tomlin’s time with the Steelers may not be completely over, only shifting into a different capacity. This raises intriguing possibilities for the franchise, whether as an advisor, mentor or another leadership role, showing that even as the team turns a page, Tomlin’s influence and experience could continue shaping the Steelers’ future.

"I think so," Batch said in regards to the Steelers using Tomlin to help find his replacement. "You know, it was not a bitter divorce that happened. When you talk about the Rooney family and the Tomlin family. They had a great working relationship. The one thing I could see is working behind the scenes. Maybe you ask him, 'Hey, is there a young, up and coming coach that you would recommend for an interview?' I think that could potentially happen." 

It is very clear that Rooney still holds Tomlin in the highest regard. He would seemingly jump at the chance to continue working with Tomlin in some capacity, and that is exactly why Batch believes Tomlin will still be involved with the Steelers in the future, even though he has stepped away as their head coach.

"So he is going to be involved behind the scenes," Batch said. "It's just a matter of how much they really want him working right now, but ultimately it's gonna determine what he wants to do in his future. Now if they [the Steelers] prevent him from doing some of those moves, then yeah, he is not gonna be as cooperative with this particular process, but if both of them get what they want, yes I can see that working out and him being a consultant of some sort."

Mike Tomlin could help pick new Steelers HC

The idea of Tomlin having a hand in choosing his replacement would be surprising, but it is something Batch thinks could happen. If that is the case, the Steelers are already starting the process with interviews, so any input from Tomlin would have to come quickly. 

Either way, the idea of him returning to help the team as a consultant is one that is sure to stir emotions among Steelers fans. Some will feel good about it, while others may see it as a bad move.