Mike Tomlin may have just stepped away from the sidelines in Pittsburgh, but his name is already heating up in coaching circles - and fast. Less than a week after stepping down as the Steelers’ head coach, Tomlin is being floated as a serious contender for one of the league’s most intriguing openings: the Buffalo Bills.
Let’s start with what we know. Steelers president Art Rooney II doesn’t expect Tomlin to jump back into coaching immediately.
By all accounts, Tomlin’s decision to step away was rooted in a desire to spend more time with his family - something that’s not uncommon after nearly two decades of grinding through NFL seasons. In fact, he was recently seen attending his daughter’s gymnastics meet at the University of Georgia, a rare public moment that speaks to his current priorities.
But in the NFL, the coaching carousel never stops spinning, and Tomlin’s name still carries serious weight - especially when a job like Buffalo’s opens up.
The Bills made a bold move on Monday morning, parting ways with Sean McDermott just 48 hours after a gut-wrenching overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. For a team that’s been knocking on the Super Bowl door for a few seasons now - and boasts the reigning AP NFL MVP under center - this is a franchise that’s clearly in win-now mode. That makes the head coaching job in Buffalo one of the most attractive in the league.
And the oddsmakers are already taking notice. According to BetOnline, Tomlin has the second-best odds to land the Bills job at +350, trailing only former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (+300).
That’s notable, especially for a coach who reportedly isn’t in a rush to return. But if there’s one job that could change that calculus, it’s one with a top-tier quarterback and a Super Bowl-ready roster.
The list of potential candidates for the Bills job is long and varied. Brian Daboll, who once served as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator and has ties to the organization, is sitting at +400.
Interim OC Joe Brady is close behind at +500. Other names in the mix include Klint Kubiak (+800), Davis Webb (+900), Robert Saleh (10/1), and Vance Joseph (18/1), among others.
As for the Steelers? With Tomlin officially out, the search for his replacement is underway.
Familiar faces like Brian Flores (+700), who spent time on the Steelers’ staff, are getting early buzz. Other possibilities include Jeff Hafley (12/1), Mike McCarthy (14/1), Anthony Weaver (16/1), Chris Shula (22/1), and Jesse Minter (25/1).
It’s a fascinating moment for both franchises. Pittsburgh is navigating unfamiliar territory - searching for its first new head coach in nearly two decades. Meanwhile, Buffalo is trying to find the right leader to finally push a loaded roster over the hump.
Whether or not Tomlin ends up in Buffalo remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: even when he’s off the field, his presence looms large.