Bill Cowher Talks Mike Tomlin's Steelers Exit, HC's Potential Return to NFL in Video

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher provided some insight Saturday into Mike Tomlin's decision to step down as the Steelers' head coach, and his potential future in coaching.

Speaking on the NFL on CBS pregame show prior to the AFC Divisional Round playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos, Cowher shared his knowledge regarding why Tomlin chose to step away from coaching after 19 years at the helm in Pittsburgh:

Cowher said Tomlin indicated to Steelers owner Art Rooney II during a meeting that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Cowher noted that the "noise from the outside" that NFL coaches often deal with can take a toll on their families at times.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame coach was uncertain about Tomlin's future plans, but he called being an NFL head coach "addictive," and suggested that Tomlin may return to coaching after taking a year off, much like Broncos head coach Sean Payton did.

Prior to stepping down, Tomlin was the longest-tenured, active head coach in the NFL, leading the Steelers for 19 years on the heels of Cowher's 15-year run in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers never finished with worse than a .500 record during Tomlin's tenure, and they reached the playoffs 13 times, and won one of the two Super Bowls they reached.

Pittsburgh went 10-7 and reached the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and it won the AFC North this season. However, the Steelers went 0-3 in the playoffs during that stretch, and they have not won a playoff game since 2016.

While the Steelers were always competitive under Tomlin, it is fair to wonder if they had stagnated in terms of being legitimate contenders come playoff time.

That is arguably what happened with Payton while he was with the New Orleans Saints, as they went 3-4 in the playoffs over his final eight seasons.

Payton has since led the Broncos to the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and it is possible Tomlin could follow a similar path.