What Mike Tomlin reportedly said about coaching future after confirming exit from Steelers

Almost immediately after the Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed this past Tuesday that Mike Tomlin was stepping down as the team's head coach, reports said that Tomlin wanted to take a break from coaching through at least the 2026 NFL season. 

Per a lengthy piece produced by ESPN's Brooke Pryor and Jeremy Fowler that was published on Friday, Tomlin allegedly revealed his short-term plans. 

Does Mike Tomlin have eyes for any team other than the Steelers?

"I'm not interested in coaching anyone else's team right now," Tomlin reportedly said on Tuesday afternoon. 

Before the news about Tomlin's departure from the Steelers went public, a report shared that Fox was "considered the favorite" among the NFL's media partners to land his services if he were open to serving as an on-air personality. One coaching source who spoke with ESPN explained why Tomlin may simply need some time away from the grind.

"He talks a lot about 'getting off the couch,' coaches who leave the game for a reset and return with new ideas, as 'different versions' of themselves," that source said about Tomlin's mindset. "He studies ball because he loves it, so I could see him returning in that way. I'm just not sure when, and it could be a while. It seems like he really just needs a break."

Hall of Famer Ronde Barber recently said that he heard directly from Tomlin "last year" that the 2025 season would likely be the coach's last with the Steelers. According to Pryor and Fowler, Tomlin's departure "first became a possibility over the summer." 

What Mike Tomlin may want at his next NFL stop

In June 2024, Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension that included a team option for 2027. There's no indication the Steelers would let him reach the open market, meaning they likely would look to receive draft compensation via a trade for Tomlin if he decides down the road that he wants to work for a different franchise. 

"In the past," Pryor and Fowler added, "Tomlin shared with those close to him that he would enjoy an opportunity to build a team from the ground up, even perhaps over an opportunity with a ready-made roster and infrastructure." 

If nothing else, it seems like Tomlin won't slam the door shut on possibly returning to NFL sidelines at some point. Thus, it likely will be a matter of "when" and not "if" reporters begin linking him with teams this coming fall.