Mike Tomlin; Will He Rejoin Steelers In 2024?
For several years, a significant portion of Steelers supporters has advocated for the dismissal of head coach Mike Tomlin. Maybe by the conclusion of the current year, they’ll obtain their wish.
It is still possible that they should use caution in their wishes. This seems like the first divorce since Tomlin took over as team coach in early 2007. Additionally, Tomlin wouldn’t be fired by the Steelers.
In the event that there is a separation, it will be either because Tomlin wants to go or because the Steelers are called by a club seeking a new head coach (Commanders, for example) to start the process of effectively making a trade.
What is Tomlin’s trade value to the Steelers? A further year remains on his deal. Jon Gruden had an additional year left on his Raiders contract twenty-one years ago. Additionally, in order to get Gruden, the Buccaneers had to forfeit $8 million, two first-round selections, and two second-round picks. (Defense backs coach Mike Tomlin was a young member of the defensive staff that Gruden took over.)
Surely, getting Tomlin wouldn’t need that much. Particularly if Tomlin is prepared to attempt something that very few coaches ever had the courage to. It’s possible for Tomlin to express his satisfaction with ending his contract and becoming a free agent in 2025, either publicly or privately.
In light of his readiness to take that step, the Steelers may become less idealistic about their desired coach.
Irrespective of the outcome, there would be sufficient smoke for the clubs seeking a coach to at least contact Pittsburgh to inquire about Tomlin’s availability. To put it practically, the owners of the clubs who may switch coaches are probably already sleuthing around to find out whether Tomlin would want the position and whether the Steelers would let him go.
What direction will it go then? What transpires over the next three weekends will determine a lot of this. Unless Tomlin has already determined that a change is needed, regardless of how the remainder of the season plays out.
