Schefter: Steelers’ Mike Tomlin ‘Could Walk Away’ From Pittsburgh After NFL Playoffs

Rob Carr/Getty ImagesMike Tomlin has never finished with a losing record in 17 seasons as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers and just led the AFC North team to the playoffs, but his days with the club could be numbered.

“I don’t know what Mike Tomlin is gonna do, but I can tell you there are people out there in the league who say that that’s potentially an option,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. “That after the season, maybe he could walk away.”

Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow”I don’t know what Mike Tomlin is gonna do but I can tell you that people out there in the league think after this season he could walk away..

If Pittsburgh didn’t want him he would get a job right away” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Pmtgb20SQn

Tomlin’s job security and long-term future with the Steelers was at least a topic of conversation earlier in the season when it appeared the team would miss the playoffs.

However, Pittsburgh won its final three games of the season against playoff contenders in the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens and finished 10-7. It will face the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round.

Much of the turnaround can be attributed to Mason Rudolph, who started all three wins and threw for a combined 716 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. While he was far from perfect, he was solid enough for a team that had previously dealt with the inconsistency of Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.

Najee Harris also elevated his production and ran for 312 yards and four touchdowns in the final three games.

That Tomlin was able to turn things around yet again in 2023 underscores his incredible consistency. He is 173-100-2 in his 17 years as the Steelers coach and has two Super Bowl appearances and one Lombardi Trophy on his resume.

He is the latest long-term coach for an organization that has featured just three head coaches since the 1969 campaign.

Yet his tenure may be on the final stretch.

Schefter’s comments seemed to indicate Tomlin would be leaving on his own accord and not because he was fired, and doing so could give him the opportunity to take a temporary break and perhaps come back for another organization.

For now, though, his Steelers are still alive in the chase for a Super Bowl after a late-season turnaround.