Could Mike Tomlin Be Headed to Las Vegas? A Closer Look at a Hypothetical Coaching Shakeup
Pete Carroll’s first season at the helm of the Las Vegas Raiders hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. The team has struggled to find its footing, and with no playoff hopes remaining, questions are starting to swirl about whether Carroll’s tenure might be a one-and-done situation. That’s not a common outcome for a coach of Carroll’s stature, but in the NFL - and especially with the Raiders - nothing is ever truly off the table.
Meanwhile, over in Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin’s future is also becoming a hot topic. Despite being one of the league’s most respected and longest-tenured head coaches, there’s growing chatter that the Steelers could be ready for a change after this season. That alone would send shockwaves through the NFL coaching landscape - but it also raises an intriguing possibility: Could Tomlin end up in Las Vegas if both jobs come open?
According to recent speculation, the Raiders could be a compelling landing spot for Tomlin if he and the Steelers part ways. And when you look at the situation in Vegas, there’s a case to be made.
Why the Raiders Could Appeal to Tomlin
Let’s start with the basics. While the Raiders haven’t been competitive this season, they’re not exactly starting from scratch.
There’s a foundation in place - a handful of promising young players, a high draft pick on the horizon, and, perhaps most importantly, a war chest of cap space. In fact, Las Vegas is projected to have the second-most cap space in the league next offseason.
For a coach like Tomlin, who’s known for his ability to build physical, disciplined football teams, that kind of flexibility could be a major draw.
The quarterback situation remains unresolved, but that could actually be a selling point. With a top draft pick likely in hand, the Raiders will have a shot at one of the premier quarterback prospects in the upcoming class. That’s a rare opportunity for a veteran coach - the chance to hand-pick and develop a franchise quarterback from Day 1.
If Carroll is indeed out after just one season, the Raiders’ next coach would inherit a roster that’s flawed, yes, but far from hopeless. Add in a front office that might be willing to hand over significant control to a proven leader like Tomlin, and you start to see why this hypothetical has legs.
What Would Have to Happen First
Of course, there are a lot of moving parts here. First and foremost, Carroll is still the head coach in Vegas, and Tomlin is still running the show in Pittsburgh. There’s no indication that either team has made a final decision about their current coaches, and until that happens, this is all just speculation.
Still, the Raiders have already been eliminated from playoff contention - one of just five teams in that category - and their season will officially wrap up after their Jan. 4 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s when we’ll likely start to get some clarity on Carroll’s future.
As for Tomlin, any potential departure would be seismic. He’s been a model of stability in Pittsburgh, and the idea of him wearing anything other than black and gold feels almost unthinkable.
But if the Steelers do decide to go in a new direction - and if Tomlin wants to keep coaching - he won’t be short on options. And Las Vegas, with its resources and potential, could be one of the more intriguing ones.
Bottom Line
Right now, this is all hypothetical. But in the NFL, hypotheticals can turn into headlines overnight.
If the Raiders decide to move on from Pete Carroll after just one season, and if Mike Tomlin becomes available, don’t be surprised if Vegas becomes one of the first teams to make a call. The pieces are there.
The question is whether the timing - and the interest - will align.