Mike Tomlin ended his historic 19-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon, informing the team in a meeting of his plans to step away from coaching. Because he is stepping down and not getting fired, the Steelers still retain his rights, which sets up an intriguing possible trade situation for Pittsburgh in the future.
The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov pointed out this opportunity for the Steelers on X.
“This is important: Mike Tomlin leaving the organization means the Steelers will retain his rights. He was NOT fired,” Meirov wrote. “It seems likely he’ll take a year off, possibly do TV, and then become a trade candidate next year, similar to Sean Payton when the Saints held his rights and later traded him to Denver.