Mike Tomlin’s most realistic destinations emerge if Steelers move on after 2025

Mike Tomlin’s days as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach may be numbered, but as everyone under the sun will tell this fanbase, he can coach anywhere he wants if not in Pittsburgh.

Plenty of former Steelers and media analysts have dropped suggestions on where Tomlin should go if he and the franchise that has employed him for 19 seasons do, indeed, part ways.

Why not lay out all of the viable options that might exist for Tomlin in his next chapter if the book on his storied Steelers career is coming to an end?

Mike Tomlin’s uncertain future with Pittsburgh Steelers opens the door to several intriguing destinations

New York Giants

Many of Tomlin’s struggles in Pittsburgh have existed since the 2019 season, when Ben Roethlisberger was lost for the season, and the end of his career became more apparent. Since then, the franchise has failed to find a quarterback with staying power.

That doesn’t exist in New York. Jaxon Dart has been impressive, if not reckless, in his rookie season and has a real shot at being the future for a franchise that has experienced much greater struggles since their own Hall of Fame quarterback drafted in 2004 retired.

The Giants also have exciting pieces on defense with a relentless defensive front.

With New York’s trajectory pointed up with the right coaching hire, Tomlin’s best opportunity may exist with the Giants as their next head coach.

Las Vegas Raiders

Tomlin is one of the league’s most respected figures, which will catch the Raiders’ front office’s attention with ease should he become available. Especially for Tom Brady, one of the franchise’s leading voices, who led the charge in hiring Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly for the 2025 season.

Unlike the Giants' job, Las Vegas doesn’t have a potential franchise quarterback in place and will be hoping to land one in the upcoming NFL Draft. In fact, the entire roster needs an overhaul to be competitive again. 

It seems doubtful from a situational perspective for Tomlin to want to join such a deep rebuilding process, especially if there’s truth to the fact that Tomlin is growing ‘tired’. Culturally, however, Tomlin would certainly be a fit to reignite the “Just Win, Baby” mentality for the silver and black.

READ MORE: Mike Tomlin’s surprising admission raises new questions about his Steelers future

Miami Dolphins

Could Tomlin take his talents to South Beach? It’s not out of the realm of possibilities, though there are some factors to consider.

Will the team make a full reset or only move on from Mike McDaniel? Do they even move on from McDaniel? Is Tua Tagovailoa still in the franchise’s long-term plans? Would Tomlin have some say in who his general manager is?

If it’s a full rebuilding effort, then what separates Miami from Las Vegas? If they stick with Tagovailoa, who’s been wildly inconsistent, why not try to build with Dart in New York instead?

There are a lot of question marks for the Dolphins' potential job opening, and none seem overly enticing for Tomlin at this stage of his career, comparatively. Still, if Miami makes a bid for him, no one will be surprised.

Maryland Terrapins (in 2027)

If Tomlin is tired, maybe a year away from the game will do him some good. In such a scenario, he’d have his pick of jobs as they become available. And if Tomlin is on the opening market, a college program like Maryland may try to lock him in as quickly as possible.

The Terrapins have already committed to embattled head coach Mike Locksley for the 2026 season, promising more financial support to allow the team to become truly competitive in the Big Ten. Still, Locksley’s job security has been under a microscope for some time with another 4-8 finish.

Obviously, Tomlin has ties to the DMV region. He is from Virginia, and his son Dino played for Locksley at Maryland.

As is the case with the Penn State job, it might come down to his willingness to coach in the ever-evolving landscape of college football. But the personal connections to the program may help Tomlin overlook that aspect and begin a new challenge at Maryland.

Go the Bill Cowher route

Bill Cowher retired at 49 years old and has since made a living on CBS’s pre- and post-game panels for nearly 20 years. Tomlin is older than Cowher was at that point, and again, is one of the most respected figures in the sport. If Tomlin wanted to work in the media, every outlet would be throwing money at him to join their broadcast team.

Again, this leans on the idea that Tomlin’s 30-year coaching career has worn on his mind, body, and spirit. If the passion for football is still there, but the will to live the brutal life of an NFL or college coach is too much to go through in a new home, then going the path of Cowher, Nick Saban, and so many other respected coaching voices should certainly stay on the table for him.

Similar to Cowher, it may ease fans' feelings on Tomlin’s late failures, too. The way some Steelers fans will see it, it’s better to see Tomlin excel with a microphone in his hand instead of with another team and a new NFL logo on his hat and chest.