Even before the NFL Playoffs began, head coach and coordinator openings were becoming available around the league at an alarming rate. Even elite coaches were jettisoned and plunged into the open market. After the first round of the postseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t stop the trend, as head coach Mike Tomlin resigned from his position.
While Tomlin would be a top candidate for any head coach job around the NFL, it sounds like he wants to take a year off at least from coaching. By stepping down, he leaves the Steelers in a precarious situation. They will have a new head coach for the first time since 2007. And they might have a new quarterback as well, if the Aaron Rodgers tea leaves are being read correctly.
Aaron Rodgers might choose to leave Steelers right behind Mike Tomlin
Back when Rodgers signed with the Steelers, he made it clear from the get-go that one of the biggest reasons he made the decision was because he was getting a chance to play under Tomlin. There was a mutual respect there between the player and coach, which translated to the field during their one season together.
With Tomlin now out of the picture, it’s fair to wonder if Rodgers will want to give it another go. There weren’t many options for Rodgers in the offseason, and he waited for the perfect opportunity. Playing for Tomlin was that opportunity. It does seem like Rodgers is happy in Pittsburgh, but with a new head coach coming in, Rodgers might not want to start all over again at 42 years old.
The Steelers will likely cast a wide net in their head coach search, but there’s a real possibility they choose to hire internally with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. He was with Tomlin for the past two seasons and has head coaching experience. Smith isn’t exactly an inspiring candidate, especially since his offense with Rodgers at the helm was not exactly exciting. That could be another reason Rodgers decides to retire instead.
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