Tomlin recently discussed his future during an interview with Cris Collinsworth, addressing the possibility of coaching again after spending the first six months away from the profession. While the former Steelers coach admitted that he is enjoying his new life and the opportunities that come with working in television, his comments made it clear that coaching remains something he deeply values.

The 54-year-old spent nearly two decades leading Pittsburgh and never had a losing season during his tenure. He now has the opportunity to evaluate the NFL from a different perspective throughout the 2026 season, while potentially waiting for the right opportunity to return as a head coach.

Will Mike Tomlin return to the NFL as a head coach?

Mike Tomlin did not commit to returning to coaching, but he also refused to rule it out. The former Steelers coach explained that he remains passionate about the profession and everything that comes with leading an NFL team, while also acknowledging that his first months away from coaching have given him a perspective on life that he had never experienced before.

“It’s certainly not a 32-team league for me. I’ve lived too much for that. But, I’ve also learned to never say never. So, will I coach again? I don’t know. I love to coach. I love all the challenges of the profession. I love to be a part of growth and development of young people individually. I love to develop a collective. I love the measurement of the seven-day cycle. I love all of that. But I also have enjoyed the last six months and life on this other side that I had no idea about.”

That answer leaves the door open for a potential return, although Tomlin appears unlikely to accept just any coaching opportunity. His comment that the NFL is not a 32-team league for him suggests that the right situation, organization and roster would be crucial if he ultimately decides that he wants to return to the sideline.

For now, Tomlin will focus on his new role with NBC throughout the 2026 season. He joined the network as a studio analyst after stepping away from the Steelers following the 2025 campaign, giving him a chance to remain closely connected to the league while enjoying a lifestyle he says he had not previously experienced.

Still, the possibility of Tomlin returning to coaching could become one of the biggest storylines of the next NFL hiring cycle. If the right job becomes available and Tomlin decides that he misses the seven-day grind of coaching enough, there appears to be nothing stopping him from making an NFL comeback. As he said himself, he has learned to never say never.

“Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin says the best team he coached was the 2015 Steelers, who went 10-6 and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Broncos in the Divisional Round,” The 33rd Team posted on X. Tomlin revealed that fact in an interview with The Today Show on NBC.

Tomlin stepped down from the Steelers after the 2025 campaign. Many Steelers fans wanted him fired, but Pittsburgh’s front office expressed that they were hoping to keep him on for another season. Tomlin left the Steelers after appearing in two Super Bowls. He won the Super Bowl during the 2008 season by defeating the Arizona Cardinals, while Pittsburgh lost the Super Bowl a few years later to the Green Bay Packers.

The team Tomlin named

Tomlin chose the 2015 Steelers as his best team. The choice comes as a surprise, given that his 2008 squad won the Super Bowl and the 2010 team reached the championship game before losing to the Green Bay Packers. The 2015 team fell in the Divisional Round and failed to win the AFC North.

The former head coach noted that he chose the 2015 team due to its overall roster talent. The team’s major obstacle was injuries, as both Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown missed the Divisional Round game against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Their absences dealt a severe blow and placed the offense in a difficult situation against Denver. Martavis Bryant led the team in both rushing and receiving during the 23-16 loss. Fitzgerald Toussaint served as the primary replacement for Bell, recording 12 carries.

Bell appeared in only six games that season due to a suspension and an NFL season-ending knee injury, while Brown posted the best year of his career, accumulating 1,834 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Fans will remember Brown’s injury in the Wild Card Round, when Cincinnati Bengals defender Vontaze Burfict delivered a brutal hit to his head. That entire sequence allowed the Steelers to win the game in the final moments following a series of defensive penalties.

Rodgers ultimately decided to return to Pittsburgh for another season, this time under new head coach Mike McCarthy. The decision came after the quarterback acknowledged there had been uncertainty about whether he would continue playing, before eventually signing a one-year deal with the Steelers. Rodgers also confirmed that 2026 would be his final NFL season.

Because Mike Tomlin spent an entire season working with Rodgers in 2025, Dan Patrick asked him whether the quarterback would have returned if Tomlin had remained in charge. Tomlin’s answer was particularly interesting because he believes Rodgers’ decision was driven by something deeper than his relationship with any particular coach: his love for the game itself.

Would Aaron Rodgers have returned if Mike Tomlin stayed in Pittsburgh?

During his appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Mike Tomlin explained that he believes Aaron Rodgers would have strongly considered returning even if the Steelers had never made a coaching change. According to Tomlin, the veteran quarterback embraced not only playing on Sundays but also the meetings, preparation and development that come with being part of an NFL team.

“I believe he would have. Just spending twelve months with Aaron, man, this guy has a love affair with football and all components of it. The process, meetings, team development. He loved training camp last year. Not a lot of guys enjoy training camp settings the way I watched him enjoy.”

Tomlin’s observation is notable because Rodgers’ return was far from guaranteed during the offseason. The quarterback later explained that he had serious conversations with McCarthy and Steelers general manager Omar Khan before deciding that he wanted to play another season. That ultimately led to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh despite Tomlin no longer being on the sideline.

Tomlin went even further, suggesting that Rodgers’ physical condition and his passion for football would have made him seriously consider another season regardless of who was coaching the Steelers. His belief is based on what he saw from Rodgers throughout their time together, rather than simply speculation about what might have happened.

“I just think he’s built for it. He’s healthy. He’s certainly capable. So, I think that he would have strongly considered it regardless of circumstance. That’s just my gut feeling.”

There is an interesting irony to Tomlin’s comments. While the Steelers ultimately hired McCarthy and Rodgers returned for another season, Tomlin believes the quarterback’s decision was less about the coaching change and more about his own desire to continue playing. Rodgers has already stated that 2026 will be his final NFL season, making this the last chapter of his career.

Tomlin’s transition to television has been closely watched because of his remarkable longevity with the Steelers. He never had a losing season during his Pittsburgh tenure, won Super Bowl XLIII and led the franchise to 13 playoff appearances. Now, however, he is experiencing something that was largely unavailable to him during nearly two decades as an NFL head coach: a much quieter offseason.

That change in lifestyle was at the center of Tomlin’s recent conversation with Rich Eisen. Eisen asked whether Tomlin’s excitement about his new role with NBC meant he had definitively turned the page on coaching or whether this should be viewed more as a sabbatical. Tomlin’s answer made one thing clear: he is not thinking too far ahead, and he is thoroughly enjoying his current situation.

Is Mike Tomlin retiring?

Mike Tomlin acknowledged that he does not know what the long-term future holds, but he also made it clear that he has learned not to completely shut doors in his career. At the same time, his comments suggest that stepping away from coaching has provided him with a level of peace and relaxation that he had not experienced in years.

“I don’t know about the long-term component of things. I’ve just lived enough to know that you leave certain doors ajar. But man, I got to admit that my pulse rate is pretty low these days. I’ve enjoyed my summer home to the fullest. It has been a good off season.”

The comment about leaving “certain doors ajar” is particularly notable because Tomlin is not ruling out another opportunity to coach in the NFL. His decision to join NBC does not necessarily represent a permanent retirement from coaching, and a future opportunity with the right team could potentially change his mind. For now, though, there appears to be no urgency on his part to return to the pressure of an NFL head-coaching job.

After spending nearly two decades dealing with the demands of running an NFL franchise, Tomlin’s comments about his lower “pulse rate” offer a revealing look at how much he is enjoying his new routine. His broadcasting role allows him to remain closely connected to football without the daily responsibilities of a head coach, while also giving him more time at home during the offseason.

That does not mean Tomlin has permanently moved on from coaching. If anything, his answer leaves the possibility open while making his current priorities clear. For now, Tomlin appears comfortable taking a step back, enjoying his NBC opportunity and seeing where life takes him before deciding whether he wants to return to the NFL sideline.

The decision became even more surprising weeks later when the Steelers acquired DK Metcalf and gave the veteran receiver the lucrative contract extension that Pickens had been seeking. In other words, Pittsburgh ultimately invested heavily in another wide receiver while deciding that Pickens was not the right player to build around long term.

Now, former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has finally provided more insight into why the organization approved the trade. During an interview with Rich Eisen, Tomlin explained that the decision was not simply about what Pickens could do on the field, but whether he had developed in the other areas Pittsburgh expected from a player who would eventually receive a major second contract.

Why did the Steelers trade George Pickens?

Mike Tomlin explained that the Steelers’ philosophy is to draft talented young players, develop them and eventually reward them with second contracts if they fit the organization’s long-term plans. In Pickens’ case, however, Tomlin acknowledged that the process did not reach that point, while making it clear that the receiver’s talent was never necessarily the issue.

“I think you draft young players that are talented. You help them develop and, if they’re developing in the right ways, if they fit your long-range plans, then you do second contract business with them. It didn’t happen for us with George, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s not gonna be a spectacular player.“

Tomlin then explained that factors away from pure production played an important role in Pittsburgh’s decision. According to the former Steelers coach, the organization wanted more from a potential high-dollar player in terms of leadership, intangibles and responsibilities within the locker room, and it ultimately believed Metcalf was a better fit in those areas.

“For us, I just thought, it’s not only about play. It’s development in other areas. Intangible areas. I think when you’re a high-dollar, second-contract guy, I think there’s some leadership responsibilities and things of that nature. I just don’t feel like that was in his natural wheelhouse. We felt better about DK’s abilities in those areas.”

That explanation sheds new light on one of the most controversial moves of the Steelers’ recent offseason. Pittsburgh did not necessarily believe Pickens lacked the ability to become a spectacular player; instead, the organization questioned whether he possessed the leadership and intangible qualities it wanted from a player it was prepared to make a major financial commitment to. The Steelers ultimately chose to bet on Metcalf, while Pickens received his opportunity to continue his career in Dallas.

Now working as an NBC analyst, Tomlin appeared on The Rich Eisen Show and was asked whether he believes the Steelers can actually win the Super Bowl this season with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and Mike McCarthy taking over as head coach.

“I certainly do. I think that’s the only reason Aaron comes back. He believes it, I believe it. I don’t think he comes back if he doesn’t believe that. I think they got the bones of having a good unit at all three phases.”

Can the Steelers win the Super Bowl?

Mike Tomlin believes the Steelers can win the Super Bowl. Tomlin pointed to Rodgers’ decision to return as one of the biggest reasons he thinks Pittsburgh should have legitimate championship aspirations.

The Steelers are entering a new chapter after Tomlin’s departure and McCarthy’s arrival as his replacement. Rodgers, meanwhile, is back for another season in Pittsburgh, giving the franchise a veteran quarterback with championship experience in his official last dance.

For Tomlin, Rodgers’ decision to return is more than simply a commitment to another NFL season. He believes the veteran quarterback returned because he genuinely thinks Pittsburgh has a chance to compete for the Lombardi Trophy. And Tomlin appears to share that belief.

Steelers could be the NFL’s 2026 dark horse

Mike Tomlin acknowledged that the Steelers are not receiving the same level of attention as some of the other teams considered among the top Super Bowl contenders. That, however, could ultimately work in Pittsburgh’s favor.

“Certainly, they’re probably not being talked about in the ways that some others are being talked about, but that can be a good motivator and a catalyst for them as well. I think they got high expectations, and I think they should have high expectations.”

Despite no longer being on Pittsburgh’s sideline, however, Tomlin made it clear that his relationship with the organization remains strong. During an interview with Dan Patrick, the former Steelers head coach explained why he will continue supporting the team as he begins his broadcasting career.

“I’m gonna root for those guys because that’s just who I am. I spent 19 years there. I had a hand in selecting most of those guys. And so when you have those intimate relationships, certainly that’s gonna be a component of viewing for me.”

What’s next for Mike Tomlin?

Mike Tomlin’s move to NBC marks the beginning of a new professional chapter after nearly two decades on the Steelers’ sideline. His role will give him the opportunity to offer analysis based on the experience he accumulated during 19 seasons as an NFL head coach.

“I’m having the time of my life. I never had an August since I was like eight years old. I’ve always been on a football team or in a camp-like setting of some description. I can’t wait to see what September is like. I’ve enjoyed 2026. The free time.”

And while he will now have to evaluate teams from an analyst’s perspective, his loyalty to Pittsburgh remains intact. Tomlin may no longer be calling the plays or making decisions for the Steelers, but when the team takes the field, he will still be rooting for the players he helped develop and select.

Jones entered the NFL with enormous expectations after a standout college career at Georgia, but he never developed into the cornerstone offensive tackle the Steelers expected when they selected him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Now, after getting a fresh start in Dallas, Jones has made it clear that he believes Pittsburgh’s coaching staff played a major role in his struggles — and that amounts to a direct criticism of Mike Tomlin, who was the Steelers’ head coach throughout Jones’ entire tenure.

Broderick Jones criticizes Mike Tomlin’s coaching staff

Broderick Jones took a shot at Mike Tomlin as he was introduced with the Dallas Cowboys. His comments are difficult to separate from the head coach who oversaw his entire development in Pittsburgh.

Explaining why he struggled with the Steelers, Jones pointed specifically to the constant changes along the offensive line and his inability to establish himself at one position.

“For me, I would just say bouncing around positions and just not being able to get my feet set. That was a challenge for me. Coming in, hopefully I can stick to one side. Compete for that job, get comfortable and get familiar with it. Get familiar with who I’ll be playing next to and go from there.”

The former first-round pick is essentially saying that he was never given the stability necessary to develop properly. Since Tomlin was responsible for the Steelers throughout Jones’ entire career, the criticism ultimately lands on the head coach and his staff.

Jones’ comments also make his trade particularly interesting because he is not simply blaming himself for failing to meet expectations. He believes the environment in Pittsburgh contributed directly to his inability to succeed.

Steelers failed to develop another first-round pick

Pittsburgh selected Jones No. 14 overall in 2023 after his impressive career at Georgia, hoping he would eventually become a long-term fixture on the offensive line.

Instead, his time with the Steelers became a combination of inconsistent performances, positional changes and injuries. His 2025 season was particularly difficult because injuries limited his ability to establish momentum, further complicating a development process that had already been inconsistent.

The Steelers ultimately decided that moving on was the best option, sending Jones to Dallas rather than continuing to wait for him to become the player they envisioned on draft night. That decision also adds another name to Pittsburgh’s increasingly concerning list of recent first-round picks who have failed to become foundational pieces.

Broderick Jones gets a fresh start with Cowboys

The Cowboys are giving Jones something he believes he desperately needed in Pittsburgh: a chance to establish himself in one position and develop consistency.

In Dallas, he will compete for a role on an offensive line responsible for protecting Dak Prescott. For Jones, the objective is simple. He wants to pick one side, become comfortable with his assignment and build chemistry with the offensive linemen around him.

That stability could be exactly what he needs to finally unlock the potential that made him a first-round pick. The Steelers may believe Jones simply did not work out. Jones’ comments suggest he sees the situation differently.

And by pointing to the constant positional changes that occurred under Mike Tomlin, the former Pittsburgh first-round pick has made it clear that he does not believe his struggles were entirely his fault.

If both scenarios somehow materialized, the Jets could go from searching for answers to potentially landing an elite head coach and one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks in the same offseason.

However, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical. Tomlin only recently left Pittsburgh after 19 seasons and has transitioned into a role as an NBC analyst, while Jackson remains the centerpiece of the Baltimore Ravens’ franchise.

NY Jets could pursue head coach Mike Tomlin

Jason La Canfora reported that Mike Tomlin is already generating interest around the league and specifically connected him to the New York Jets. It would be a massive move.

“Mike Tomlin is generating significant interest among NFL owners for a potential return back to head coaching. Jets owner Woody Johnson is reportedly doing his homework on Tomlin, with NFL sources believing the Jets are the front-runners to sign him.”

That would be a huge development for New York, but the timing makes the report difficult to fully buy. Tomlin spent 19 seasons as the Steelers’ head coach before leaving Pittsburgh and beginning a new chapter as an NBC analyst.

He had never previously experienced a coaching break of that length during his NFL career, and there has been no indication that he is eager to immediately return to the sidelines. If Tomlin is enjoying his new role and the opportunity to step away from the daily demands of coaching, a 2027 return would come surprisingly quickly.

At the same time, Tomlin’s reputation means teams will inevitably monitor his situation. A franchise with the right quarterback and organizational structure could make an enormous push to convince him to return.

Could Lamar Jackson play for the Jets in 2027?

The quarterback portion of the report is even more difficult to envision. Jason La Canfora added: “NFL GMs believe Lamar Jackson could seek a trade, with a Mike Tomlin-led Jets viewed as a potential destination.”

For now, that scenario appears extremely complicated. Jackson is the face of the Ravens and remains one of the most talented QBs in the NFL. The quarterback is also reportedly looking for a contract extension, and Baltimore appears to have a roster capable of competing for the Super Bowl.

There is little obvious reason for the Ravens to willingly move on from their franchise quarterback. That could change if the 2026 season goes badly. A disappointing campaign could potentially force Baltimore to reassess its roster and long-term direction. If Jackson’s contract situation also remains unresolved, speculation about his future could become much louder.

For now, the report is best viewed as an intriguing possibility rather than something approaching a likely outcome. Tomlin appears comfortable in his new role, while Jackson remains the centerpiece of a Ravens team with legitimate Super Bowl ambitions.

Mike McCarthy was hired as Pittsburgh’s new head coach for the 2026 season, beginning a new era for an organization that had been led by Tomlin since 2007. The transition comes with significant expectations, but Tomlin believes McCarthy is an ideal fit for the franchise.

The former Steelers coach also highlighted one of McCarthy’s biggest advantages: his history with Aaron Rodgers. The two previously won a Super Bowl together with the Green Bay Packers, and that shared experience could help McCarthy immediately establish credibility with Pittsburgh’s veteran quarterback.

Why does Mike Tomlin think Mike McCarthy is a perfect fit for Steelers?

Mike Tomlin believes the connection between McCarthy and Pittsburgh goes beyond his coaching resume. As a Pittsburgh native, McCarthy already understands the culture and expectations that come with coaching the Steelers.

“I know a little bit about the Steelers situation to say the least. Mike McCarthy is perfect for them and they’re perfect for Mike. Certainly being a Pittsburgh native, he understands the standard that is Pittsburgh. And he’ll embrace that. His coaching experience will also allow him to manage that.”

That familiarity with Pittsburgh could be particularly valuable during a transition season. McCarthy does not have to learn the organization’s expectations from scratch, and his experience leading an NFL team could help him handle the pressure that comes with replacing Tomlin.

Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers give Steelers continuity

Tomlin also pointed to McCarthy’s previous success with Rodgers as a major advantage. The two spent years together in Green Bay and reached the ultimate destination, giving McCarthy firsthand knowledge of what Rodgers can do when the offense is built around him.

“He’s got an awesome resume obviously. The confetti has rained down on him before with his current quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Man, there’s no substitute for shared success. Those waters run deep. He’s positioned to do well. Certainly, there are some challenges when you come into a new situation, but there’s a lot to like about continuity in this new experience for him.”

That continuity could become one of the defining factors of Pittsburgh’s 2026 season. McCarthy already knows Rodgers’ strengths, weaknesses and personality, while Rodgers enters the season with a familiar offensive mind leading the organization.

For the Steelers, the combination could provide a smoother transition than a typical coaching change. Tomlin’s endorsement suggests that, despite the pressure surrounding the franchise, McCarthy has several advantages that could help him succeed immediately in Pittsburgh.

“I do love it (the game), yeah,” Rodgers said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio with Pat Kirwan. “I’m also 42. I’ve played 22 years. I played three in college. I’ve never had a fall to myself. I want to start a family with my wife, you know? I think you just have to know when it’s time.

“And, you know, there’s been times in the last three offseasons where I felt like maybe it is time. But doors open, and I just tried to listen to the signs. I might have been listening to the wrong signs by going to New York, but it was a good learning experience, you know, and I learned a lot during that process, and I am thankful for that time there.“

His only year with Tomlin was key to bringing back his joy: “And I’m thankful for last year with Coach Tomlin, because he helped me get that love back, that deep love back for the game.“

The Rodgers-Tomlin connection paid off

During their lone 2025 season together in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin guided the Steelers to a 10-7 regular-season record and an AFC North title. Operating in a run-heavy offense, Rodgers started 16 games, completing 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions with a 94.8 passer rating.

However, their campaign came to a disappointing end in the AFC Wild Card round with a 30-6 home blowout loss to the Houston Texans, where a flu-stricken Rodgers was held to just 146 passing yards and an interception.

A bad memory in New York

Aaron Rodgers’ tenure with the New York Jets was defined by heartbreak and a modest rebound. After arriving via a high-profile trade in 2023, his debut season ended almost immediately when he tore his left Achilles tendon on just his fourth snap of Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.

Returning fully healthy for the 2024 season, Rodgers played all 17 games, completing 63.0% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 90.5 passer rating. Across his 18 total games in New York, he finished with 3,897 passing yards, 28 TDs, and 11 INTs before parting ways with the franchise.

A new chapter in Steel City

The reunion with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh has reignited optimism for Aaron Rodgers as he enters what he confirmed will be his final NFL season in 2026. Reuniting with the head coach who guided him to a Super Bowl victory and two MVP awards in Green Bay brings an immediate level of comfort, familiarity, and elite communication to the offense.

Rodgers said: “…then they hired Mike McCarthy, and I was like, ‘Okay, maybe we need a full circle here, me and Mike need a full circle here.”