With the end of the NFL season fast approaching and the Steelers looking unlikely to make the playoffs this season, rumors are starting to swirl around the team. The team will not look the same next year, and while that means there will be plenty of new faces on the team, that also means saying goodbye to familiar faces.
While some will leave as free agents or retire, it is also possible the Steelers are active in the trade market. Under Omar Khan, the Steelers have been much more aggressive than they were under Kevin Colbert, and that means the team could look to explore trades for these three big names if the price is right.
3. Mike Tomlin
Since taking over as the Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, Mike Tomlin has established himself as one of the top coaches in the NFL. Tomlin has won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh and has the famous streak of zero losing seasons as a head coach. His job has been one of the most secure jobs in the entire NFL, as not only has he been a great coach, but the Steelers value continuity, so much so that they've only had three head coaches since 1968.
However, for the first time in years, it can be argued that Tomlin has lost the locker room, as the team lost three straight games, causing them to fall out of a playoff spot, and having seemingly given up hope. Many are calling for Tomlin to be fired over this, which simply won't happen as he is too valuable of an asset to be let go like that.
But, firing him isn't the only way for the Steelers to move on from him, the trade route is also an option. As was the case when Sean Payton came out of retirement but was still under contract with the New Orleans Saints, there is a high demand for coaches with a successful resume, and teams will pay up to acquire their services. Payton, Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, and Herm Edwards are just a few of the names of big-time coaches who have been traded and fetched a haul in return.
While I believe that Tomlin will ultimately stay, it is telling that this is even a possibility this year, as this would have been considered outlandish in any other year. However, it's possible either Tomlin or the Steelers think that they need a change of scenery, and if the Steelers get high draft capital in return it's something that they'd be foolish to not at least ponder.