Following one other one-and-done playoff run from the Pittsburgh Steelers, calls are mounting for the franchise to half methods with head coach Mike Tomlin after 18 seasons.
The Tremendous Bowl XLIII-winning coach has misplaced six consecutive postseason video games courting again to the 2016 AFC Championship Recreation, and the Steelers are caught within the NFL’s dreaded middle-tier, not horrible sufficient to finish the season with a doubtlessly franchise-altering high NFL Draft choose or adequate to be the final group standing.
Beneath, we rank Tomlin’s potential 2025 teaching locations — the 5 present openings after the Patriots employed Mike Vrabel, plus the Steelers and Cowboys, who’ve but to re-sign head coach Mike McCarthy, making him accessible to educate elsewhere subsequent season.
7. New Orleans Saints
It could finest swimsuit Pittsburgh to hunt a commerce involving Tomlin as a substitute of firing him. He’s an asset who the Steelers might get robust worth for. Underneath the premise that any group hiring Tomlin as its subsequent head coach should commerce for him, that ought to exclude the Saints from being a risk.
New Orleans has the draft capital to make a commerce work, however with the group at an estimated $52.3 million over the salary cap and $48.4 million in useless cash, the Saints want these draft picks for gamers, not a coach.
6. Chicago Bears
The Bears want an offensive-minded coach to get essentially the most out of quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 general choose. For all of Tomlin’s strengths, offense isn’t certainly one of them. Chicago would nearly definitely see an enchancment within the win-loss column, however it might come on the expense of maximizing its proficient quarterback.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
We’re coming into the territory of groups that would realistically commerce for Tomlin. The Raiders are directionless after firing their head coach, Antonio Pierce, and normal supervisor, Tom Telesco, final week. The group has reportedly expressed interest in coaxing Invoice Belichick away from North Carolina, the place he just lately signed a five-year, $50 million contract to grow to be the Tar Heels head coach.
Tomlin would immediately legitimize one of many league’s most unserious franchises. Las Vegas would nonetheless have a number of holes, most prominently at quarterback, however buying Tomlin can be a superb begin.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
That grass isn’t all the time greener. As disappointing as Pittsburgh was down the stretch, dropping its final 5 video games, it was a miracle the group was even 10-3 to start with.
It could be silly to lose sight of the exceptional job Tomlin’s performed with the Steelers. He’s by no means had a dropping file, and that features having Kenny Pickett as his beginning quarterback for 2 seasons. The person deserves a lifetime contract.
However that’s not how the NFL works, particularly a franchise as storied because the Steelers. As excellent of a match as Tomlin is in Pittsburgh, nobody would fault the 2 sides for parting methods.
3. New York Jets
If the Jets desire a coach who will preserve quarterback Aaron Rodgers in line, it ought to bypass ESPN analyst Rex Ryan and put in a proposal for Tomlin. The no-nonsense head coach would put an finish to Rodgers’ free rein in New York, requiring him to fall in line or fall out.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have one of many league’s worst secondaries. As one of many league’s finest defensive-minded coaches, Tomlin would seemingly flip the unit round. Jacksonville has intriguing offensive personnel, together with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and vast receiver Brian Thomas Jr., however received’t go anyplace till it solves its defensive points. Tomlin can be an ace rent.
1. Dallas Cowboys
How about this for chaos? The Cowboys and Steelers, one of the crucial iconic NFL rivalries, working collectively to ship Tomlin to Dallas. We love the match of Tomlin with the Cowboys.
Dallas received 36 video games from 2021-23 and has a number of of the identical gamers who led the group to these profitable seasons, together with quarterback Dak Prescott, vast receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge Micah Parsons.
If Dallas doesn’t re-hire McCarthy, it have to be sure it has an improve in place. Tomlin suits the invoice.
