Mike Tomlin’s post-Steelers life may already be settling into place.
After 19 seasons running the Pittsburgh sideline, Tomlin stepped away following last year’s Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans and moved into a studio role with NBC’s Football Night in America. The Steelers turned to Mike McCarty, and so far the split has worked out just fine for everyone involved. Pittsburgh is 6-2 heading into its bye week and sitting alone atop the AFC North, while Tomlin has drawn strong reviews for his work as an analyst.
Still, the bigger question has been whether Tomlin might eventually jump back into coaching. Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward doesn’t sound like he expects that to happen.
“Guys, he’s not coming back. He’s way too comfortable.
He told me as soon as he walked in, ‘I win every week now.’ And I’m like, ‘I get that.’
I get that. And I’m not gonna fight against that because that’s a pretty sweet job he’s got going on over there,” Heyward said, via Gerry Dulac, on Tuesday.
A day later, Dulac added another layer to the story, saying Tomlin may have already made his feelings clear to the organization.
“My understanding is the Steelers are free of any compensation after this season if Tomlin returns to coaching. I will tell you, though, I have been told that he has told the Steelers he doesn’t intend to coach anymore. We’ll see,” Dulac said.
That would fit with the way Tomlin has described the NBC gig himself. On New Heights with Travis and Jason Kelce, he called it “part-time work, full-time pay.” And NBC reportedly structured his deal with backloaded money in an effort to keep him around.
After 19 seasons without a losing record and a Super Bowl ring to his name, Tomlin has earned the right to decide what comes next.
In Other News...
Jason Witten Is Already Changing Oklahomas Offensive Identity
Jason Wittens first weeks as Oklahomas offensive coach have already brought a noticeable shift in how the Sooners are operating on the practice field. The former NFL tight end has pushed a more intentional, professional approach, with an emphasis on clarity, communication and situational football, and that has stood out to Brent Venables in the early going.
Venables has pointed to Wittens organization and the way he gets through to players as a real asset for the offense. Even after just one game in the role, the early signs suggest the Sooners are getting a cleaner understanding of what is expected, along with a stronger sense of accountability as the unit adjusts to a different voice and a different standard. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Waits On Key Line Decision Before Ole Miss Showdown
Oklahomas preparation for Ole Miss has been shaped by the injury report, with offensive lineman Ryan Fodje listed as doubtful after getting hurt on Oct. 17. The Sooners could use the extra help up front in a matchup that figures to test every part of the offense, while cornerback Jacobe Johnson is listed as probable and should give the secondary a needed boost if he is cleared to go.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is dealing with its own long list of absences, including 11 players ruled out, among them running back Kewan Lacy and guard Patris Kutas. Even with a few Rebels listed as probable or doubtful, the bigger question for Oklahoma is how the line holds up if Fodje cannot make it, because that decision could shape both the protection plan and the way the Sooners attack in a game with plenty on the line. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Just Sent A Blunt Message About Brent Venables Future
Brent Venables may have signed a two-year extension in August, but the bigger message around Oklahoma football has been about stability, not anxiety. The deal pushed his tenure through 2031, came with a salary bump, and significantly increased his buyout, all of which signaled that the university was willing to make a long-term commitment even as the on-field results have fallen short of expectations.
Rick Nagel, the chair of the Oklahoma Board of Regents, added to that picture by publicly saying Venables is not on the hot seat despite the disappointing season. For a program with championship standards and a fan base that does not like to wait, that kind of backing matters, because it suggests Oklahoma is not looking to make a snap judgment about its coach even as the pressure around the program continues to build. [Read more 🡒]