BALTIMORE — Mike Tomlin is officially out with the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons, a decision announced on Tuesday. This news surfaced during a press conference held by the Baltimore Ravens, where discussions centered around the dismissal of longtime coach John Harbaugh. During the event, The Baltimore Sun reporter Mike Preston informed team owner Steve Bisciotti about Tomlin”s exit.
“Is it official?” Bisciotti inquired. “That”s what I keep hearing,” Preston responded. Bisciotti then humorously remarked, “Holy s–t, Mike. Wouldn”t that be awesome?” This comment sparked laughter throughout the room, followed by another quip from Bisciotti: “Only if John takes the Pittsburgh job. Wow, wouldn”t that be interesting.”
The possibility of Tomlin joining the Ravens could leave fans buzzing, but his current circumstances may temper that enthusiasm. As reported by the NFL Network, Tomlin might take a coaching hiatus in 2026. Meanwhile, The Athletic mentioned that television networks are eyeing him for potential on-air roles next season. Most critically, since Tomlin”s departure was voluntary and not a dismissal, the Steelers retain his rights until the conclusion of the 2027 season. This means that a trade could occur if he expresses interest in coaching elsewhere.
Historically, the concept of coaching trades is rare within the division, as evidenced by the recent trade of Sean Payton from the Saints to the Broncos, which included draft picks. However, the thought of two AFC North rivals making such a move would be unprecedented.
If Tomlin seeks a new position in the next two years, he would undoubtedly attract significant interest given his status as a Super Bowl champion and his remarkable record of never finishing a season with a losing record during his tenure in Pittsburgh. At 53, he is also younger than Harbaugh, who is 63 and is considered a strong candidate for other coaching openings.
“I love Mike,” Bisciotti expressed. “I”ve admired Mike for 18 years.” Tomlin”s exit contributes to a shifting landscape in the AFC North. Alongside Tomlin and Harbaugh”s departures, the Browns have also fired Kevin Stefanski after the season. Currently, only Zac Taylor, head coach of the Bengals, appears set to return to his role in 2026.
Although Tomlin may not be a serious contender for the Ravens” head coaching position due to the Steelers holding his rights, Stefanski could be a viable candidate. He successfully led the Browns to playoff appearances twice in five seasons. Bisciotti stated that he is open to considering previous head coaches with losing records, emphasizing that the Ravens will carefully evaluate candidates without letting prior experiences cloud their judgment.
Whoever Baltimore decides to hire, the changes over the past week indicate that the AFC North will look markedly different by 2026.
