The Pittsburgh Steelers are navigating a pivotal offseason with free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon. Yet beyond roster construction and front-office decisions, one storyline continues to dominate discussion in Western Pennsylvania: what comes next for Mike Tomlin?
Tomlin’s decision to resign as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers stunned much of the fan base.
After nearly two decades at the helm, his departure marked the most significant organizational shift since he replaced former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher in 2007.
Almost immediately, speculation began. Some analysts projected a seamless transition to television. Others theorized he might recharge briefly before resurfacing as a head coach elsewhere within a season or two.
However, recent comments from NFL insider Jay Glazer suggest that those predictions may be premature.
While appearing on Not Just Football With Cam Heyward, Glazer offered a candid update on Tomlin’s mindset and immediate plans.
His remarks painted a picture of a coach who is not rushing toward any new venture: “Right now, I say, I think he’s DONE done,” Glazer noted.
“But everyone who says, ‘He’s going to TV!’ He’s not even close to this. But, it’s not even there. I said to him, ‘Hey, if we do TV, are you gonna use your agent?’ And he’s like, ‘F**k no.’
“I said, ‘Well I gotta get you an agent,’ and he said, ‘Yeah. When the time’s right, you tell me who to go with.’ We’re not even there. We’re months away from talking about it.”
Those comments directly counter the widespread assumption that Tomlin was preparing to step into a broadcasting role. They also cast doubt on the notion that he is quietly lining up his next coaching opportunity.
A legacy secured in Pittsburgh
Tomlin’s tenure with the Steelers was encapsulated by consistency, player loyalty and a sustained winning culture.
He captured a Super Bowl title early in his run and kept the franchise competitive year after year, even as roster cycles shifted and postseason success became harder to secure in later seasons.
Though the final chapters of his time in Pittsburgh left some fans frustrated over playoff shortcomings, Tomlin’s overall body of work cements his standing among the franchise’s elite leaders.
Like Cowher before him, he maintained the identity of the Black and Gold while adapting to evolving league trends.
When Tomlin stepped down, the Steelers ushered in a new era under head coach Mike McCarthy.
The transition represents one of the most significant philosophical and structural shifts the organization has experienced in nearly two decades.
A familiar path trodden by NFL icons
Many believed Tomlin might use a television platform to analyze those changes from afar, but Glazer’s comments suggest that such a move is not imminent.
Equally notable is the apparent lack of urgency to return to the sideline. Some observers theorized that Tomlin could follow a familiar NFL pattern: step away, recharge for a year, then pursue another head-coaching job.
Yet Glazer’s insight indicates that even that scenario is not currently in motion.
For now, Tomlin appears content to step back after a demanding and high-profile career.
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