Mike Tomlin may have coached his final NFL game-and if what we’re hearing is true, it’s something he’s been planning for a while.
Longtime NFL insider Jay Glazer, who’s known Tomlin for years, made waves this week with comments suggesting the former Steelers head coach has been eyeing the exit door for quite some time. During a recent appearance on the Nightcap show, Glazer shared that Tomlin privately told him-and Hall of Famer Ronde Barber-about his retirement plans nearly two years ago.
“He told me and Ronde, ‘Hey, this is my plan. You can’t say this.
Don’t show my hand. I’m telling you, you’re my guy,’” Glazer recalled.
That type of candid conversation speaks to the trust and long-standing relationships Tomlin has built during his career, both on and off the field.
Barber, who played under Tomlin when he was the defensive backs coach in Tampa Bay, echoed those sentiments just last month, saying he believed the 2025 season would be Tomlin’s last. “I think he’s done,” Barber said. “I think he wants to be done.”
And if you’ve been following the breadcrumbs, this doesn’t come out of nowhere. There’s been buzz for years that TV networks have had their eyes on Tomlin for a post-coaching media role.
After all, he’s got the charisma, the insight, and the presence to thrive in front of the camera. Now that he’s stepped down from his post in Pittsburgh, Fox is reportedly the frontrunner to bring him aboard.
But make no mistake-this wasn’t a snap decision. According to Glazer, Tomlin was seriously considering stepping away even before this past season.
“Last year, I thought he was gonna hang it up,” Glazer said. “He decided one more.
I thought he was gonna be done.”
By midseason this year, Glazer said the writing was on the wall. “Week 8, I’m like, ‘Hey man, anybody that’s gonna change your mind?’
‘Nope.’ Okay, I said, ‘Can I report it the last week?’
‘Nope.’”
That kind of resolve tells you everything you need to know. Tomlin wasn’t just flirting with the idea-he had made up his mind.
It’s worth noting that Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension with the Steelers back in June 2024, which included a team option for 2027. But contracts don’t always tell the full story, and in January, reports surfaced that Tomlin had no interest in coaching another team.
At 53, Tomlin walks away with one of the most respected résumés in football. He never had a losing season in Pittsburgh, and he leaves behind a legacy of leadership, consistency, and toughness. If this truly is the end of his coaching career, it’s been a remarkable run.
And if the next chapter sees him behind a desk instead of on the sideline, don’t be surprised if he brings the same energy, insight, and no-nonsense approach that made him one of the most respected voices in the league.