Rival NFL Exec: Mike Tomlin Trade 'Might' Happen 'at Some Point' amid Steelers Rumors

The Pittsburgh Steelers may not be actively attempting to trade head coach Mike Tomlin, but a deal could be a possibility down the line.

"I don't think the Tomlin trade happens yet, but at some point, it might," an NFL executive from an opposing team told Mike Sando of The Athletic. "Everybody will disappear for a few days, but then somebody is going to ask about staff changes, and if Tomlin bows up, that is when there could be problems. That's what happened with Pete Carroll in Seattle last year."

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that another team called Pittsburgh to discuss a deal for Tomlin and was informed that he has a no-trade clause in his contract. The head coach would need to waive the clause for any change of scenery to occur.

A trade doesn't appear to be imminent, though. After the Steelers were eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed that Pittsburgh doesn't plan to fire or trade Tomlin during the 2025 offseason.

Trades involving head coaches are uncommon, but they aren't unheard of. The latest occurred in Jan. 2023, as the New Orleans Saints dealt Sean Payton and a third-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a first-round choice and a second-round selection.

The Steelers have maintained a winning record in all 18 years of Tomlin's career, earning a Super Bowl title during his second season in 2008.

A lack of recent postseason success has likely contributed to his uncertain long-term future, though. Saturday's loss to the Ravens marked the Steelers' fifth consecutive playoff defeat, as their last postseason win came during the 2016 season.

Tomlin's stellar track record and no-trade clause have mostly kept him out of trade rumors, but continued playoff struggles could result in more teams inquiring about his availability moving forward.