Nothing lasts forever, though in NFL terms, spending 19 seasons with one organization is about as close as it gets. The Mike Tomlin era for the Pittsburgh Steelers has officially come to a disappointing end after the team's Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night.
But the Tomlin era will forever be remembered as one of the greatest head coaching tenures in league history. In 19 seasons, Tomlin's teams never had a single losing record. Near the end, some felt that was an acceptance of mediocrity, but winning in the NFL is easier said than done.
Tomlin's decision to step down from his role as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers means the team will be on the hunt for just the fourth head coach in the history of the franchise. The next step for the Steelers is unknown, but the next step for Tomlin might be painfully obvious. The man was made for television.
Mike Tomlin's next move after Pittsburgh Steelers will almost certainly be on TV
The belief in league circles is Mike Tomlin will do media for at least one season, like his predecessor Bill Cowher.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 13, 2026
All options will be available to him after next season. https://t.co/AsJAnS6Q8o
We've seen plenty of other coaches make this transition, whether temporarily or on a more permanent basis. When Sean Payton stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, he took a one-year hiatus and worked for FOX Sports before returning to the coaching world with the Denver Broncos.
We've seen other coaches and players in recent years go from the sideline to the studio, including Bill Belichick for a brief period and Nick Saban at ESPN.
There will be competition for Tomlin's services in the media world if he doesn't already have a deal lined up. Networks are always looking for the next great on-air presence, and Tomlin is always good for a sound bite or video clip. He'll be a phenomenal asset in the media world, whether we're talking about offseason content or in-season analysis.
If Tomlin wants to pursue a career in television, Fox Sports, ESPN, NBC and CBS all will have interest, according to sources briefed on their thinking. Fox Sports has not replaced Jimmy Johnson on its NFL Sunday show, while ESPN is gearing up for its Super Bowl coverage next… https://t.co/9kwkQxbSNb
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) January 13, 2026
The decision by Tomlin to step away from the Steelers is a little abrupt, which likely means that he's had this in mind for quite some time. The media world can offer Tomlin a nice break from coaching for a bit while he awaits the 2027 cycle. And whenever Tomlin does decide to return to the sidelines, he would be arguably the most coveted coach on the market.
Sometimes, a change of scenery is all that's needed for a coach to rejuvenate his fire for the game. And it was probably time for a change from the Steelers' perspective as well, although you've got to be careful what you wish for.
It's wild to think that Zac Taylor is the only returning coach in the entire AFC North for the 2026 season, but that's the nature of the beast that is the NFL. What have you done for me lately?