Mike Tomlin is already finding a rhythm in life after the Steelers, and by his own account, he’s enjoying the change.
After 19 seasons together, Pittsburgh and its former head coach have gone their separate ways, leaving the organization and the NFL to adjust to a new reality. The Steelers are now under the direction of hometown hero and former Super Bowl-winner Mike McCarthy, while Tomlin has stepped into a new lane with NBC’s Football Night in America.
That shift could have been jarring, but Tomlin sounded anything but uneasy during a recent appearance on The Dan Patrick Show. He said the biggest surprise has been how quickly he’s grown comfortable with having time to breathe.
"It’s crazy how quickly you can get used to chilling,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed 2026, man.
The free time. Had an opportunity to really just focus on my wellness, man, getting into shape."
For Tomlin, the transition has also meant learning how to live as a person first instead of an NFL head coach. For years, his identity was tied to the Steelers and to the nonstop demands that come with running a team. He described the job as one that pushes everything else down the list.
"When you lead a football team, sometimes, you put yourself last," he admitted.
Now, he’s been able to move himself and his family closer to the front. Since leaving Pittsburgh, Tomlin has had time to catch up on moments like his daughter’s collegiate gymnastics meets. His wife, Kiya, has also been part of that new chapter with more room in the schedule.
And on television, Tomlin has looked right at home. His natural comfort in front of a microphone - something Steelers fans saw for years in his press conferences - has carried over smoothly into the media space. His debut during the Hall of Fame game to open the preseason was described as a resounding success, and that appears to be only the beginning.
A return to the NFL down the road is still possible, and rumors are already floating about which team might chase him in 2027. But that’s a story for later. Right now, Tomlin is enjoying what comes next.
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The Steelers secondary could end up watching this situation closely, even if the chatter starts in Detroit. A Bleacher Report analyst recently floated a possible trade involving cornerback Joey Porter Jr., tying the conversation to his contract status and the growing sense that the 24-year-old wants a long-term extension while Pittsburgh has not yet put a formal offer on the table. For a team that has leaned on Porter as part of its defensive future, any talk like this naturally lands with extra weight.
Detroits need for help at cornerback is part of what makes the idea intriguing, and the analysts evaluation of Porters trade value only adds to the noise. From Pittsburghs side, the question is less about fit than timing, because Porter remains young enough to be central to the Steelers plans if an extension gets done. Until then, the Lions connection keeps the door open on a scenario that would reshape one of the AFC Norths most watched secondaries. [Read more 🡒]
Ex Steelers Linebacker Lands Fast While Reunion Candidate Still Waits
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Elandon Roberts, another former Steelers linebacker, is still waiting for his next opportunity. His status keeps the reunion conversation alive for anyone tracking Pittsburghs linebacker room and the broader ripple effects of those roster decisions, especially with both players having recent ties to the same defense. For now, the contrast is simple: one ex-Steelers linebacker found a landing spot, while another remains unsigned. [Read more 🡒]
Payton Wilson Just Said What Steelers Fans Wanted To Hear
A new look is coming to the Steelers defense in 2026, with Patrick Graham taking over as defensive coordinator and fresh faces like Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker expected to help shape the unit. For Payton Wilson, the early signs of that transition have already been encouraging. The young inside linebacker sounded upbeat about the direction of the defense during a recent podcast appearance, and his comments point to a coaching setup that feels noticeably different from what came before.
Wilsons optimism matters because he is still carving out his role in the middle of Pittsburghs defense, where development and trust go hand in hand. The Steelers want him to keep growing into a key piece of that linebacker room, and the sense that he can play more freely under the new staff only adds to the intrigue around what this defense could look like when the changes fully take hold. [Read more 🡒]