The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a much different era now that Mike Tomlin is no longer in charge. Tomlin was the face of the franchise for 19 seasons at the helm in Pittsburgh, serving as one of the most stable and respected head coaches in the NFL. Over those 19 seasons, Tomlin never had a losing record and finished with an impressive regular season mark of 193–114–2, good for a .628 winning percentage.
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
While his regular season consistency was elite, Tomlin’s postseason résumé tells a more complicated story. He started his playoff career strong, but over time the results faded, finishing with an 8–12 postseason record. Most notably, the Steelers did not win a playoff game after the 2016 season, a drought that increasingly defined the latter years of his tenure. Now, Mike McCarthy takes over with the task of restoring Pittsburgh to legitimate Super Bowl contention and recapturing the postseason success the franchise once expected as standard.
As for Tomlin, at 53 years old, many around the league are wondering if he is truly finished coaching football. When Bill Cowher retired, there was similar speculation about a return that never came, as he ultimately carved out a successful television career. Rumblings about Tomlin entering television have circulated for years, and many believe he would thrive in that role.Â
A major hint surfaced Thursday when Rich Eisen revealed on his show that he has heard Tomlin is heading into television. No timetable was provided, but with Tomlin no longer coaching in Pittsburgh, he will have plenty of free time, making a move as soon as the 2026 season feel entirely possible.
“[The Texans] absolutely beat them down into a pulp and sent Mike Tomlin into what appears to be a brave new world,” Eisen said recently on his show. “I’m hearing it’s television right now. Just dropping a bread crumb.”
Eisen did joke that this was not anything truly earth-shattering, instead emphasizing just how loud the rumblings of Tomlin heading to television were during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.Â
The Rich Eisen Show
Rich Eisen speaks on his show about the future of the Steelers.
According to Eisen, the idea of Tomlin transitioning into a media role has been circulating behind the scenes for quite some time, making the revelation less of a surprise and more of a confirmation of what many around the league already suspected.
If Tomlin does make the move to television, it would be a natural fit given his commanding presence, sharp football mind, and ability to connect with audiences. Throughout his coaching career, he was known for his quotable press conferences and straightforward analysis, traits that tend to translate well in a studio setting.Â
Networks are always looking for respected former coaches who can break down the game with authority, and Tomlin would instantly become one of the most credible voices on any broadcast.
Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Will Likely Always Be Hungry To Return
Of course, the door to coaching may never be completely closed. Tomlin is still relatively young, and NFL teams frequently explore experienced leadership when openings arise. However, if television is indeed his next step, it could mirror the path Cowher took after stepping away from the sidelines, building a second act that keeps him closely connected to the game.Â
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Whether Tomlin’s future ultimately leads back to coaching or into a long-term media role, his impact on the Steelers and the NFL is already firmly cemented. Tomlin will always be hungry to return, as he is a deeply motivated competitor who may feel he left unfinished business, and while his close friend Jay Glazer has hinted that the itch and desire to coach may never truly fade, Tomlin appears content for now, leaving the door open for a possible return down the road.
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