The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally entering a new chapter for the organization that will be away from Mike Tomlin. After nearly two decades at the head coaching helm, he stepped down, putting the franchise with new leadership in Mike McCarthy. It remains to be seen if the adjustment will lead to some significant playoff success, but, for now, it's refreshing to have a new voice and type of scheme to look forward to.
Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stands in front of the media to answer questions as the team goes through 2026 mandatory minicamp workouts in Pittsburgh, PA.
Going from a conservative, defensive-first coach in Tomlin to now a heavy offense with McCarthy will be extremely different and that change may be able to get the team back on track with winning in January. McCarthy being from Pittsburgh is another positive about the switch-up as he wants to make his hometown squad succeed in front of his family and friends. There's a lot for him to prove after years in the NFC.
The AFC North is extremely tough and his first season will be very interesting to pay attention to. While the fresh experience has a chance to really benefit the Steelers down the road, there's something about the coaching mix-up that is slightly unfortunate for the organization. It's not that Tomlin leaving was the issue, but with him not pursuing a different coaching job, the Steelers may lose out on some compensation because of it.
If he left Pittsburgh but then took a job elsewhere, the organization would have gotten compensated via a trade. That only applied for the 2026 offseason, meaning that if he takes a job in 2027, the Steelers will miss out on that pick. Mike Florio talked about this on 93.7 The Fan, discussing Tomlin's contract and how his decision could have impacted the organization.
"I was under the impression a year ago that [his contract] tolls and if he tries to go work somewhere else after [2026], the Steelers would be able to say, 'We’re entitled to some compensation,'" Florio said. "In the process of figuring that out, at the end of the 2025 season, it became clear to me that once his contract would have otherwise expired, he is free and clear. So if someone had hired him in this cycle, the Steelers would have been entitled to compensation. Next cycle? My understanding is the Steelers are not going to be entitled to anything."
If Tomlin stays with NBC Sports for the rest of his career, it won't be that big of a deal, but the annoying thing to the organization would be him taking a year off, avoiding Pittsburgh getting compensated over it, and then returning to the league. As Florio stated, there would have been an avenue if he wanted to get out of the Steel City but had a desire to continue coaching right away.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
It will be interesting to see what Tomlin does later on in his career. He has been in the game for a very long time and it's going to be different for him outside of Pittsburgh. Maybe a year off will make him miss it and return to the game, and that decision would be frustrating for the Steelers to watch happen.
Tomlin did just make his debut with NBC not too long ago and did give some intriguing notes about McCarthy for the Steelers. It's an adjustment for the entire league and will be fascinating to see if he moves on from his television deal quickly. He hasn't been out of coaching for so long and a team may try to get him back in the league after 2026.
Steelers' Contract With Tomlin May Backfire Relatively Quickly
If Tomlin returns to the league next year, it would be a big punch in the face to the organization. While his break may not have been intended to prevent the Steelers from getting compensation, seeing them miss out on this possibility after a year would be frustrating.
#SteelerNation