Every offseason brings a new wave of speculation surrounding Mike Tomlin‘s future in Pittsburgh. While his eventual exit from the organization doesn’t appear to be imminent, it sounds like the two sides also don’t have a definitive future game plan. During an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero acknowledged that Tomlin and the Steelers are operating on a year-to-year arrangement.
Pelissero also noted that when the time comes for an exit, it’ll most likely be Tomlin’s decision. The reporter cautioned that the coach isn’t necessarily attached to consistent one-year deals; in fact, Pelissero said Tomlin is currently in the midst of a multi-year contract and isn’t an impending free agent.
In other words, Tomlin will continue to be the head coach of the Steelers for as long as he wants. Art Rooney is following his father’s tradition of not moving a head coach unless they have lost the locker room. Tomlin continues to command respect, and even if he somehow didn’t, Pelissero still finds it unlikely that ownership would fire or trade their iconic head coach. Rather, an exit would likely be initiated by Tomlin himself.
Pelissero is unsure when or why the coach would ever exit the franchise. The reporter notes that rival teams often check in on Tomlin’s availability, but it’s hard to envision him leaving after spending nearly two decades in Pittsburgh. Pelissero hints that the coach could eventually pursue a career in broadcasting, although it doesn’t sound like that move is imminent.
Since joining the Steelers in 2007, Tomlin has famously never had a losing season. While the Steelers only have a single Super Bowl win under their head coach, Tomlin has still helped guide the organization to 12 playoff appearances. The 53-year-old has also been granted more and more influence over the franchise, especially with personnel moves. Pelissero points to the recent Aaron Rodgers signing as another transaction that had Tomlin’s fingerprints all over it.
Outside of Bill Belichick, it’s basically unprecedented in the modern NFL for a coach to stick with one team in a two-decade span. If things continue as they have been, it sounds like Tomlin will stick with the Steelers for as long as he wants.