Latest Mike Tomlin Rumors on Steelers Future, Potential Departure for TV Opportunity

There is a chance Mike Tomlin might consider leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers to work on television in the future, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler wrote Wednesday that "a source close to Tomlin believes stepping away is at least a possibility."

"The source believes Tomlin would be more intrigued by doing TV than returning to the coaching market, should he leave the Steelers," Fowler wrote. "The source wonders what Tomlin has left to chase as an NFL coach."

Fowler added, "My understanding is that networks have had open invitations for Tomlin if he ever left coaching."

Another source reportedly told Fowler they are "confident" Tomlin would stay in Pittsburgh even if he left the Steelers.

Tomlin and the Steelers came within one Baltimore Ravens field goal of missing the playoffs in Week 18.

The Ravens missed the attempt at a game-winning shot, putting the Steelers into the playoffs as the top seed in the AFC North and potentially prolonging Tomlin's 19-season tenure as head coach.

Tomlin will now get a chance to help the Steelers snap their ongoing nine-year playoff win drought next Monday, when his team opens the Wild Card round against the visiting Houston Texans.

The result of that game could potentially influence what the Steelers do with their upcoming decision on Tomlin's contract.

Tomlin is currently signed through the 2026 season with a team option for 2027, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported in December the Steelers planned to wait until after the season to evaluate whether to take Tomlin's team option, which comes with a March 1 deadline.

He also noted that "nobody in the Steelers' organization nor around the NFL" expects Pittsburgh to fire Tomlin. The last Steelers coach to be fired was Bill Austin, who was dismissed after a two-win season in 1968.

Tomlin, 53, led the Steelers to a Super Bowl win after the 2008 campaign and has set an 19 straight non-losing seasons. Should he lead the Steelers to their first playoff win since 2016 next Monday, he could potentially increase the chances the franchise locks him in for another two seasons.