Mike Tomlin may be stepping away from the sidelines in 2026, but his name is still echoing through front offices across the league.
Over the weekend, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the longtime Steelers head coach has informed interested teams that he doesn’t plan to coach during the upcoming season. That didn’t stop speculation from swirling the moment the Buffalo Bills parted ways with Sean McDermott on Monday. With a high-profile job suddenly open, the natural question surfaced: Would Tomlin reconsider?
Rapoport addressed that very idea on Good Morning Football, and he didn’t leave much room for interpretation.
“I don't believe it will be Mike Tomlin,” he said, when asked about the Bills’ vacancy. “I don't think Mike Tomlin wants to coach this year.”
And that tracks with what we’ve heard in recent weeks. After 19 seasons leading the Steelers-an NFL tenure matched by few in both length and consistency-Tomlin is reportedly looking to step back and recharge.
There’s talk that he could spend 2026 in a TV studio rather than a locker room, possibly joining a network like Fox as an analyst. That route would give Tomlin time to reset before deciding what his next football chapter looks like in 2027 and beyond.
Still, the connection to Buffalo wasn’t out of nowhere. The Bills are a playoff-caliber team with a franchise quarterback in Josh Allen and a roster built to win now.
That kind of opportunity doesn’t come around often. Add to that the fact that the New York Giants reportedly reached out to Tomlin shortly after he stepped down from Pittsburgh on January 13, and it’s clear that teams are at least kicking the tires on what it would take to lure him back.
But here’s the thing-Tomlin isn’t exactly a free agent.
Back in June 2024, he signed a three-year extension with the Steelers that includes a team option for 2027. That means any team hoping to bring Tomlin in would need to negotiate a trade with Pittsburgh. And according to Rapoport, the price tag wouldn’t be cheap.
“The compensation would be wild,” he said. “First-round picks and more.”
That “more” could be a nod to the massive deal the Giants just handed John Harbaugh-reportedly a five-year contract worth over $100 million plus bonuses. If that’s the new going rate for a proven head coach, then Tomlin, with his Super Bowl ring and unmatched consistency, would command a king’s ransom.
So while the Bills may be tempted to make a bold move, all signs point to Tomlin sitting out the 2026 season. He’s earned the right to take a breather, and unless something dramatic changes, it looks like he’ll be watching from afar-at least for now.