Over the course of today, two of the National Football League’s most connected and respected “insiders” suggested that Pittsburgh Steelers’ Head Coach Mike Tomlin could walk away from coaching once this season concludes. These reports came from FOX’s Jay Glazer and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While both of these guys have had a few missteps with information over the course of their respective careers, it is quite typical that when they make reports like this there’s usually substance behind them.
Why Tomlin Could Leave
Going into his 17th season, Tomlin had just one year left on his contract. This is important because the Steelers traditionally give contract extensions to their head coaches when they have just one year left. It could be possible that Tomlin had already made his intentions known therefore making an extension a moot point.
Some would argue that this has been one of Tomlin’s most trying years. With a difficult schedule, more injuries than usual, moments of immaturity and a floundering offense, it’s been a lot to cope with even for him. Perhaps the culmination of these things has just proven to be enough to walk away.
Why Tomlin Wouldn’t Leave
For starters, this guy is a football ‘lifer.’ He thrives on being around the team, around the facility and around the environment in general. While 17 years is a long time to be in the same place as an NFL head coach, Tomlin is young by most standards and still appears to be enjoying the process.
Tomlin also enjoys challenges and the way he’s attacked these last three weeks are a perfect example of that. Few believed this team would get to the playoffs three weeks ago but one QB change later and the team set for an extra week of football. The challenges don’t end there though.
A quarterback competition seems destined for the offseason of 2024 and the ups and downs that come with that seem like something Tomlin thrives on. While most other coaches would likely shy away from such a thing I don’t believe Tomlin will.
What we all should be certain of is that Mike Tomlin isn’t going to be fired. Much like Bill Cowher who went on to a solid career in television, Tomlin will leave when he’s ready and not a second before. Whether we as fans like that about the way the Steelers do things or not doesn’t matter.
Despite the portion of fans already expecting yet another “one and done” in the playoffs Tomlin has earned the right to go on his own terms at least for right now. Whether Glazer (who is well-known to be tight with Tomlin) and/or Schefter are correct in their thinking we don’t yet know but I for one would be surprised. It just doesn’t feel like Tomlin is ready to walk away right now.
