Steelers Hear That Ravens QB Lamar Jackson Was Very Hopeful He Could Make His Way To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look like a much different team moving forward after the news that long-time head coach, Mike Tomlin is stepping down. Tomlin’s departure not only closes a major chapter in Steelers history, but also signals a period of uncertainty and transition for the franchise. With Tomlin gone, it’s now widely believed that Aaron Rodgers will not be staying in Pittsburgh for the 2026 season, leaving the team without the superstar quarterback many fans had hoped to see under center.

The Steelers now face countless important decisions that will shape their future, from hiring a new head coach to determining their quarterback strategy. Had Tomlin chosen to stay, there’s a very real chance Pittsburgh could have pursued Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. While it may sound improbable, the combination of Tomlin’s leadership and the Steelers’ tradition of competitiveness might have made Pittsburgh an attractive landing spot for Jackson, a dynamic player looking for the right fit.

Adding fuel to the speculation, Fox Sports personality Nick Wright commented on Thursday that he believes Jackson would have found his way to Pittsburgh if Tomlin were still head coach. Wright argued that Tomlin’s reputation as a head coach and his history of success in the AFC North could have convinced Jackson to make the move. Now, with a new era beginning, the Steelers likely have zero chance to get the two-time MVP quarterback. However, the thought of Tomlin coaching Jackson would have been super cool. 

"I have on good authority that Lamar [Jackson] loves Tomlin," Wright said while speaking on FS1's First Things First on Thursday morning. "And if things had gone a different way with Baltimore's decision whether or not to keep John Harbaugh, that Lamar had a lot of potential interest in finding a way to play with Mike Tomlin."

If Wright’s authority is accurate, then that means Jackson may indeed have wanted to play for Tomlin. However, would the Ravens have allowed it? An in-division trade is usually unheard of, and a trade for a player of Jackson’s caliber within the same division is certainly even more unusual. 

In this case, though, it could have happened because the Steelers had the capital, through their assets, young talent, and players such as TJ Watt, along with other options that might have made Baltimore think twice about an in-division trade. While not common, there is a very real chance that if the Ravens wanted to do right by Jackson, and he said, "I want to play for Tomlin and the Steelers," and the offer was strong enough, it might have happened.

Now, with Tomlin no longer the head coach of the Steelers, it is time to put that dream to bed. Still, the thought of Tomlin coaching Jackson and imagining what those two could have accomplished together is undeniably exciting for Steelers fans. It is a tantalizing 'what if' scenario that highlights just how big of an impact leadership and chemistry can have on a team’s trajectory.

Steelers Are Gearing Up For A New Chapter

Now the Steelers are entering a much different chapter, one that fans have rarely seen and have not experienced in almost two decades. 

Team President Art Rooney II must find the next head coach of the franchise that has won six Super Bowls, but has been longing to return to postseason success for some time. The Steelers face a pivotal moment in their history. With Tomlin gone, tough decisions lie ahead, but the franchise’s legacy, talent, and leadership offer hope for a return to championship contention.

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