Massive update emerges on report linking Jets with Mike Tomlin

A recent bombshell report claimed that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is already "doing his homework on" former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and could look to hire Tomlin in the event that Johnson fires current head coach Aaron Glenn either during or after the 2026 season.  

That same story mentioned that the Jets could make a move to land Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson if Jackson doesn't sign an extension with the Ravens. 

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports, there may be some truth to at least the Tomlin-Jets links. 

Mike Tomlin may have a big ask in mind to take over the Jets

On Thursday, Pauline shared that "sources" told him what it would take for Tomlin to join the Jets.

"They believe the only way Tomlin coaches the Jets in 2027 would be to receive a piece of the team from Woody Johnson. The expected demand for a stake in a team is not only Tomlin’s desire to be part-owner of a franchise, but the price it would cost to get him to lead a dysfunctional organization such as the Jets." 

Pauline could have been referring to Johnson's history of meddling as it pertains to the Jets' football operations. Additionally, the Jets are responsible for the longest active postseason drought among the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and MLS at 15 years.   

Does Mike Tomlin even want to return to coaching? 

Tomlin is currently working as an NFL analyst for NBC, and multiple individuals who are close with him said this past winter that he wanted "to be done" coaching. However, Pauline indicated that Tomlin may already be missing leading a team. 

"I was told that even though Tomlin loves the studio work in the early going, he’s still too close to the game and would entertain the possibility of returning to the sidelines in 2027," Pauline added. "It could very well turn into a Mike Vrabel situation where Tomlin uses the Jets to get the job he ultimately wants."

Of course, such chatter could go away if Glenn guides the Jets on what Johnson deems to be a successful journey from September through January. That said, Glenn and/or Johnson may need to anticipate being asked about the Tomlin rumors sooner rather than later.