Mike Tomlin ended his historic 19-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon, informing the crew in a gathering of his plans to step away from teaching. As a result of he’s stepping down and never getting fired, the Steelers nonetheless retain his rights, which units up an intriguing doable commerce state of affairs for Pittsburgh sooner or later.
The thirty third Group’s Ari Meirov identified this chance for the Steelers on X.
“That is necessary: Mike Tomlin leaving the group means the Steelers will retain his rights. He was NOT fired,” Meirov wrote. “It appears doubtless he’ll take a 12 months off, presumably do TV, after which develop into a commerce candidate subsequent 12 months, just like Sean Payton when the Saints held his rights and later traded him to Denver.”
Tomlin reportedly has a no-trade clause in his contract, however he can be compelled to waive that to re-enter the teaching sphere until the Steelers granted him a launch from his contract. They might haven’t any cause to take action as he represents a major bartering chip of their again pocket.
For what it’s value, CBS Sports activities’ Jonathan Jones thinks the Steelers may let him out of his contract due to the mutual respect.
“I don’t know this for a truth proper now on this second, however it’s a must to apply what we all know in regards to the Pittsburgh Steelers with this type of mutual respect and admiration [there is] for Mike Tomlin, that I can completely see a world the place the Steelers let him exit of his contract,” Jones mentioned through CBS Sports activities HQ. “What I imply to say is that if one other crew desires to rent him in 2026, that they don’t require draft choose compensation.”
That might be an ill-informed transfer, however the Steelers are recognized to do issues a bit of otherwise.
The Saints traded Sean Payton to the Broncos in 2023 for a 2023 first-round choose and a 2024 choose swap, together with a second-round choose going to the Broncos for a third-round choose again to the Saints. That may be a important haul for a head coach. If Tomlin is considered by NFL determination makers the best way he’s by nationwide media people, he must be value at the least that a lot in commerce worth if he decides to return to teaching.
May that occur in a 12 months from now? Solely Tomlin is aware of that, and there’s no assure that he ever returns. Invoice Cowher by no means did, for instance. If Tomlin results in a soft media job the place he can take pleasure in his life, possibly he’ll study to like his new-found freedom.
This additionally places a brand new spin on his 2027 possibility determination. His contract expires after subsequent season. Presumably the Steelers wouldn’t have his rights after 2026 in the event that they don’t excercise the choice. With that call due March 1, the Steelers have an attention-grabbing dilemma forward.
Whereas many followers are prepared to show the web page on Tomlin to the following chapter of Steelers soccer, he’ll doubtless find yourself being a subject of debate for the following couple offseasons till (if?) he decides to return due to the numerous return it may web the crew.
