Steelers' Mike Tomlin Dismisses NFL Trade Speculation amid Rumors: 'Save Your Time'

Amid rumors of teams inquiring with the Pittsburgh Steelers about a trade for head coach Mike Tomlin, he brushed off the speculation.

"Save your time," Tomlin said on Tuesday, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Tomlin, who just wrapped up his 18th season as head coach, signed a three-year extension last offseason.

Tomlin's contract also features a no-trade clause, meaning the only way Pittsburgh can trade him is if he agrees to the deal.

Though Tomlin has had a successful tenure with the Steelers, his future with the team was in question when Pittsburgh squandered a 10-3 start by losing its last four games. The 10-7 finish was still good enough for the Steelers to reach the playoffs, but their effort in the wild-card round against Baltimore wasn't good enough to advance.

After Pittsburgh lost to the Ravens, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that one team had already checked into Tomlin's trade availability. Schefter also said the Steelers hadn't given "any indication" it was interested in trading Tomlin.

"Last week, we said there will be teams that would check into the availability of Mike Tomlin, and one did, and one was told that Mike Tomlin has a no-trade clause in his contract," Schefter said. "So, anything that would happen in Pittsburgh involving Mike Tomlin would come with his consent and his consent only.

"A loss like last night's might further teams to look into it. Pittsburgh hasn't given any indication that it wants to move on from Mike Tomlin, and this has been the most patient franchise, not just in football, but maybe sports."

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Sunday that the Steelers don't plan to move on from Tomlin via trade or firing, reassuring his future in Pittsburgh is safe.

Though the Steelers fell short of reaching their goals this season, it's fair to say they exceeded expectations in some ways. They came into the year with two quarterbacks who had struggled for their previous teams, but they still managed to make things work and reach the postseason for a second consecutive season.

Pittsburgh has a big offseason ahead of it with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on expiring contracts, but the team seems to have faith that Tomlin can navigate another potential obstacle.