Mike Tomlin isn’t closing the door.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, who stepped down in January after a wild-card loss to the Houston Texans, made that much clear during a recent appearance on the PFF NFL Show. Asked by former Cincinnati Bengals star Cris Collinsworth, “Is there a chance? Will you be back in the coaching profession at some point?
Tomlin’s answer left room for plenty of speculation: “It’s certainly not a 32-team league for me, but I’ve also learned to never say never. I love to coach, I love all the challenges of the profession, and I love being a part of the growth and development of young people individually.
I love the measurement of the seven-day cycle. But I also have enjoyed the last six months, life on this other side that I had no idea about,” Tomlin replied.
That “Never say never” line was enough to send NFL chatter spinning, especially since Tomlin never formally announced his retirement from coaching. He spent 19 years with the Steelers, won Super Bowl XLIII in 2009, and built a run defined by one remarkable standard: no losing seasons.
Since stepping away, Tomlin has sounded content with life away from the sideline. The source material says he alluded to being happy as a family man after leaving the job at the top of the year, even as fans started imagining where he might land if he ever decided to return.
Social media quickly started tossing out destinations. One fan joked, “I look forward to him coaching the Jets next year and going 9-8 for the next decade….
This will be lauded as a great success,” while another wrote, “He’s coming back next szn after Rodgers leaves.” A third suggested, “Next cowboys coach if it all goes south,”
For now, the Steelers are moving on without him. They’ll open their first season in 19 years without Tomlin at home Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
In Other News...
Steelers Suddenly Face A Mason Rudolph Decision They May Not Like
The Steelers entered the preseason with a familiar quarterback question, and Mason Rudolphs name has been right in the middle of it. According to Jason La Canfora, citing NFL executives, Pittsburgh has been open to dealing Rudolph, even though he remains the primary backup behind the starter and has become one of those steady veterans who keeps resurfacing on rosters around the league.
What makes the situation tricky is the timing. Backup quarterbacks are plentiful right now, and that kind of oversupply can flatten any trade market fast, leaving a team with more interest in moving a player than actual traction on a deal. For Pittsburgh, that means Rudolphs standing may be more important than his availability, especially if the front office cannot find a partner willing to give up anything meaningful for a familiar name. [Read more 🡒]
Joey Porter Jr. Trade Pressure Just Got More Real For Steelers Fans
The contract clock keeps ticking around Joey Porter Jr., and for Steelers fans, the wait has turned into a real roster story instead of routine extension chatter. Pittsburgh still has not extended the cornerback, which has only added to the speculation swirling around a possible move to Dallas after the Cowboys created significant salary cap space and left themselves open to trades on defense.
Jerry Jones has already made it clear the Cowboys are willing to deal if the right opportunity comes along, even if no specific pursuit of Porter has been confirmed. Back in Pittsburgh, the Steelers are not treating the situation as a far-off possibility either, with a contingency plan already showing up on the depth chart as they prepare for the chance that Porter could sit out the season. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Quarterback Decision Just Sparked A Real Roster Debate
Pittsburghs quarterback room has turned into one of the more intriguing parts of camp, and Kenny Pickett helped explain why during a recent podcast conversation with Cam Heyward. Pickett pointed to Mason Rudolphs improved play and strong preseason showing as a key reason the Steelers felt comfortable keeping four quarterbacks around, a decision that says plenty about how much the group has sharpened behind the scenes.
Pickett also made a point to back the younger names in the room, singling out second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar as part of a competitive group that has raised the standard. For a team that has spent plenty of time sorting out the depth chart under center, the real debate now is less about whether the room has talent and more about how long Pittsburgh can keep all of it together. [Read more 🡒]