5 Best Fits for Mike Tomlin if Former Steelers HC Returns to NFL in 2027

After coaching for 25 years in the NFL, Mike Tomlin has transitioned into a broadcasting career, though he hasn't ruled out a return, fueling speculation about which team could lure him back to the sidelines.

During an interview on The Rich Eisen Show (2:00 mark), Tomlin left the door open for a club to convince him back into the profession.

 "I don't know about the long-term component of things," Tomlin said. "I've just lived enough to know to leave certain doors ajar."

So, let's first go through the logistics.

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't fire Tomlin; he stepped down from his head-coaching position. So, the team still holds the rights to his contract, which runs through the 2027 season.

As a result, a club interested in Tomlin would have to trade for him, similar to how the Denver Broncos traded a 2023 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder to the New Orleans Saints for Sean Payton. 

Tomlin's situation is slightly different than Payton's, though. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the former Steelers head coach has a no-trade clause in his deal.

That said, there are five teams that could entice Tomlin to leave the broadcast booth and re-enter the head-coaching ranks next year.

Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales

From the outside looking in, the Carolina Panthers seem like a tough sell for Tomlin, who spent 19 years with the Steelers, because of the organizational turnover in recent years.

Also, the Panthers don't have a franchise quarterback. They exercised the fifth-year option in Bryce Young's rookie deal, but according to The Athletic's Joseph Person, the team isn't expected to sign him to an extension before the start of the season.

If Young and the Panthers struggle, the club may want a reset in leadership positions, including the general manager and/or head coach.

Yes, Carolina made the playoffs in the previous campaign, but the team lost three of its last four games and finished the season at 8-9.

Head coach Dave Canales isn't on the hot seat after winning a division title, but if Carolina regresses, owner David Tepper may at least look for an upgrade. Postseason appearance or not, a lead skipper with three consecutive losing seasons should be up for evaluation at his position.

Tomlin has expertise on the defensive side of the ball and may be intrigued by the addition of Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd, edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips and rookie second-round defensive tackle Lee Hunter. The Panthers could also give him some say-so on how to handle the quarterback position.

Lastly, Carolina plays in arguably the league's weakest division, which gives Tomlin a shot at a quick turnaround with immediate results.

Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/AJ Mast

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen

Indianapolis Colts brass should be on the hot seat, particularly Chris Ballard. On his watch, the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2021 and has four winning seasons in nine years. In back-to-back campaigns, Indianapolis fell slightly below the .500 mark at 8-9.

If the Colts fire Ballard, the new general manager may want to handpick his head coach, raising questions about Shane Steichen's job security entering the fourth year of his deal, which runs through the 2028 season.

Tomlin may be hesitant to take the Colts job because the club traded its first-round pick to the New York Jets in a blockbuster deal for Sauce Gardner. Without that pick, Indianapolis could also lose out on a bidding competition for him. 

On a positive note, the Colts have roster building blocks on offense. They signed running back Jonathan Taylor to a two-year extension. Wideout Alec Pierce signed a new four-year deal. 

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the team's contract talks with three-time first-team All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson are stagnant, though that could change in the coming weeks. 

Quarterback Daniel Jones just signed a two-year extension, but Indianapolis can cut him and save $38 million in cap space next offseason, per Over the Cap.

If Tomlin has a long-term vision for the Colts' quarterback situation, he could coach up the defense and field a strong contender in 2027. Indianapolis could offer him personnel power to sweeten its offer. 

New York Jets

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn

While it would be an early dismissal for second-year head coach Aaron Glenn, another abysmal season could raise the temperature on his seat. 

Last season, the New York Jets finished 3-14. If Gang Green doesn't at least make steps in the right direction with widespread turnover on the defensive side of the ball, which is Glenn's expertise, the team could look for another defensive-minded lead skipper with a big personality. 

After hiring first-time lead skippers Robert Saleh and Glenn, the Jets can target someone who has a proven resume. Tomlin, a Super Bowl-winning head coach who led the Steelers to wins in 63 percent of games over 19 years, fits the bill.

Gang Green can offer one of its three first-round picks to the Steelers for Tomlin and still rebuild its roster with the addition of a quarterback and another blue-chip prospect on Day 1 of the 2027 draft.

Tomlin is already familiar with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who played six seasons in Pittsburgh, and he would have a seasoned field general in linebacker Demario Davis on defense. Rookie edge-rusher David Bailey has the potential to be a star. 

In the event that New York moves on from Glenn, it would have the draft and roster assets to attract a big-name hire like Tomlin if he's ready for a return to the coaching ranks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles should be on the hot seat entering the 2026 season.

Sure, the Buccaneers won three consecutive NFC South titles before they failed to make the playoffs last season, but the club has only one playoff win to show for it. Also, Tampa Bay is a mediocre 35-33 on Bowles' watch in a bottom-tier division.

Lastly, the Buccaneers' defense has regressed over the last two years, ranking 16th or worse in both scoring and total yards allowed. Keep in mind that Bowles is a defensive-minded head coach.

If Tampa Bay misses out on the postseason in consecutive years, Bowles may be on the way out, and Tomlin could be on the way back to where his pro coaching career started in 2001 on former Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy's staff.

Tomlin could make a full-circle career move going back to Tampa Bay, though it also makes sense in a winnable division if he's able to retain quarterback Baker Mayfield, who's entering the final year of his contract.

Despite the loss of wideout Mike Evans in free agency and linebacker Lavonte David's retirement, the Buccaneers have enough talent to reclaim their spot atop the division, which is why Bowles should be under pressure this year. 

If Bowles doesn't help this team rebound from a losing season, general manager Jason Licht may believe Tomlin can do a better job.

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn

In head coach Dan Quinn's first year with the Washington Commanders, he led the team to the NFC Championship Game with then-rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, but the club fell from 12-5 that year to 5-12 last season.

In addition to a significant fall in the standings, Quinn dismissed offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and hired first-year play-caller David Blough to replace him.

Because of the Commanders' deep playoff run in the 2024 campaign, Quinn likely bought himself extra time, but it's concerning that he parted ways with his offensive coordinator after one year. In doing so, he raises questions about the construction of his coaching staff.

Quinn's job security is also tied to Daniels' development. 

In 2025, Daniels missed 10 games due to injuries, which stunted his second-year growth, and only completed 60.6 percent of his passes. Still, after he won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, he goes into his third campaign garnering high expectations. If Quinn's offensive assistants aren't able to get the best out of him, the front office could consider more coaching changes.

After Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022, Pittsburgh struggled offensively under Tomlin, but with a young franchise quarterback already in place, he may see better results on that side of the ball with the Commanders.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.