Mike Tomlin has been running the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2008, but a trade could be on the horizon following the team’s latest postseason disappointment. For the fourth time in five years, Tomlin’s squad stumbled into the playoffs and received a humiliating blowout loss, this time at the hands of their most hated rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. After going 10-7 last year, Pittsburgh upgraded the quarterback position by trading Kenny Pickett and acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Instead, 2024 mirrored 2023 down to the lopsided Wild Card loss to an actual contender.
Tomlin has yet to post a losing season as head coach, but the team has plateaued under his leadership. Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season when they defeated Matt Moore and Alex Smith to reach the 2016 AFC Championship Game. Tomlin is a top-32 coach, but a change of scenery could be best for everyone involved. While the Steelers might get worse, they must try and find a coach who can lead a deep playoff run – something Tomlin hasn’t done in nearly a decade.
Despite his postseason shortcomings, teams across the league should be willing to trade for Mike Tomlin. As of this posting, six organizations are looking for a new head coach. While the Patriots seemed destined to reunite with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, the other five teams should have at least a passing interest in him.
Top 5 Mike Tomlin Trade Destinations, Ranked
5. New York Jets
With Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams likely to leave in the coming months, the New York Jets need a young, innovative mind to lead this team into the future. Mike Tomlin is a lot of things, but the potential trade candidate is certainly not new to the scene or the most creative schemer. Tomlin’s skills are best utilized on a veteran team, and the Jets are entering yet another rebuild.
4. Chicago Bears
First-overall pick Caleb Williams didn’t play as well as fellow rookies Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, but the USC product still has a promising future in this league. Because of this, the team should aim for an offensive-minded coach, rather than the older Tomlin. Williams and current Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could become a lethal duo, while Tomlin would put a ceiling on how good this group could be.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders need a franchise quarterback, but they’re not in a position to get one. With no clear path to a legitimate passer, this team must win games with old-school football, which makes Mike Tomlin an interesting trade target. Minority owner Tom Brady is apparently playing a large role in the hiring process, and his history against the Steelers and respect for Tomlin only increases the likelihood of this pairing.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a legitimate franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, but the rest of the roster desperately needs help. General Manager Trent Baalke will remain for at least one more season, and his presence is reportedly scaring away top candidates like Ben Johnson. With this in mind, Jacksonville must find a coach to establish a safe floor. Jacksonville doesn’t have a Super Bowl-caliber roster, but they’re better than the 4-13 record they finished with.
1. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints and Mike Tomlin are a match made in purgatory. General Manager Mickey Loomis refuses to rebuild and instead spends every offseason mortgaging the future to try and make a playoff push in the upcoming season. This strategy made sense when New Orleans had Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees under center surrounded by one of the best rosters in football, but it makes no sense with Derek Carr and one of the least talented groups out there.
If the Saints wanted to win the Super Bowl one day, they’d reset the clock, accept one or two bad years, and rebuild the foundation for sustained success. If they want to win anywhere from 8-10 games, sneak into the playoffs, and get destroyed in the Wild Card round, they’ll trade for Mike Tomlin. Based on everything Loomis has done over the past decade or so, trading for Mike Tomlin seems like his type of move.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
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