Mike Tomlin’s son receives special chance to fight for a place in the NFL, but not with the Steelers

The 2025 NFL season could be special for Mike Tomlin. Not only because he needs to take the Pittsburgh Steelers back to glory days, but also because this year could see his son, Dino, make the leap to the pros.

However, it’s not the Steelers who are opening the door to Mike Tomlin’s son. According to Ashley Liotus of WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Dino has been invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie minicamp in May.

Rookie minicamps usually last three days and prepare prospects for life in the NFL, including activities such as team meetings, practices, and coaching. They also help teams to evaluate players before training camp.

Dino Tomlin’s collegiate career

A wide receiver at Maryland and Boston College, Dino went undrafted this year after spending six years in college football. Now, the Buccaneers are giving him a special opportunity to make his way to the NFL.

Dino Tomlin #13 of the Boston College Eagles warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Tomlin’s son made 30 appearances in three years at Boston College, recording 34 catches for 479 receiving yards. Dino’s most productive season came in 2023, when he finished third on the team with 24 receptions for 312 yards. Last year, he only caught three passes for 40 yards.

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The Buccaneers’ connection with the Tomlins

While the Steelers would have been special considering that his father has been their head coach since 2007, Tampa Bay should also have some significance for the Tomlin family.

The Buccaneers were the first team to give Mike Tomlin a job in the NFL, hiring him as defensive backs coach in 2001. Tomlin held that post for five years before taking over as defensive coordinator on the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, only a year before landing his current position.

Another Steelers coach will have his son in rookie minicamp

Even though Dino didn’t get an invitation from Pittsburgh, the team will have a father-son connection, with the Steelers inviting Eddie Faulkner IV, son of the Steelers’ running backs coach, to their rookie minicamp.