Why do I get the feeling there is something about Tomlin leaving that we are not being told about

Don't get me wrong, I applauded this move. In fact I say it is long overdue.

I'm not so sure of this situation as to why it happened. Why hasn't Tomllin spoken about it yet to the fans of the organization? He opted out of his goodbye. This is strange. Not even a quick statement from him? Did I miss that video / news with him issuing a statement? If so please send me that link.

This has me wondering why.

Is he doing it because he has had an unfortunate health happening?

Was he given the choice to leave or be fired by Art Rooney II?

Did he strike a deal with a TV network while under contract with the Steelers?

Never have I seen a head coach in the NFL ( or any sports league for that matter ) opt out on his team with one year to go on his contract. Never. What is he supposed to make 12 million dollars next year? Are there any NFL examples of head coaches doing this?

While Mike is a human being like the rest of us who has friends and family who love him, I get the gist we are not being told why for a reason. Some must know. He is not shy stepping up to the microphone. Never has been.

At any rate I wish the man well in his next chapter of life.

 

I looked

 

Did he have 2 years left? I thought contract was through 2027 season.

 

Through to the 2027 season meaning only 2026

 

The franchise retains his rights. If another team hires him, the Steelers get compensation.

 

Sean Peyton walked away with 3 years left on his contract

 

HC contract details are always a bit opaque (unlike player deals which seem to become public knowledge).

At the beginning of the season, I thought he had two full years left.

But I think it was reported (speculated?) somewhere that it was one full year + one year team option.

I don't think we actually know the ground truth.

 

Team option for 2027

 

No way Tomlin jumps right back into coaching. He will either do tv or take a season or two off.

 

OP

 

Ronde Barber (who Tomlin gave the induction speech for) said that last offseason Tomlin told him "I think this is my last year".
https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/i...shares-private-conversation-with-mike-tomlin/

 

And maybe he realizes that TV is awesome because it's still high pay and you do so much less work than an NFL HC.

I think that's why Cowher never came back. I'm sure he loved coaching. But getting paid significant money for a day or two of effort per week (and nothing in the off season) must be such a nice change from being an NFL coach.

 

Mike seemed different this year and also last year...he just looked old and tired.

Maybe he did have some kind of health thing come up?

 

It was time for Tomlin to go with loud 'Fire Tomlin' chorus in the stadium. It would only get louder next year and damage his 'legacy.' Tomlin's non losing season streak would also be in jeopardy. I think Tomlin rode it out as far as he could and now can recharge or get a TV job.

 

You get much less criticism doing tv unless your names rhymes with roni bromo.

 

Stagnant team in desperate need of change after nearly a decade of underperforming and poor to average results. If Rooney didn't have a hand in helping him move on, then he is even more incompetent and asleep at the wheel than I thought. It was at the point that the minority owners should have been considering a leveraged buyout, as far as I'm concerned.

The most plausible scenario, in my mind, is that ownership made a needed change and allowed Tomlin to save face. Those types of private arrangements typically come with a gag order with financial penalties for not remaining mum. We will likely never know the full truth. I'm ok with that because we are finally getting desperately needed change. And while change can be hard, real growth doesn't come without it.

 

The H is silent in Romo.

 

An NFL coach is a person just like anyone else. Sometimes people walk away from their jobs, including large paycheques. It's far from unheard of.
Athletes do it all the time by retiring in the middle of a contract.

When someone is done, their done.
I doubt he's done coaching though. That drive that pushes these guys to work 100+ hour weeks doesn't just go away. He'll be back and I have a strong feeling his next job won't be nearly as successful as the Steelers job was.

 

Tomlin has a value of $40mil or more.
I'm not sure he has to anything or he can do anything he wants.
As for the nutty conspiracy theory stuff, it's just the way things were handled. No secrets.

I loved the way Mr Rooney handled things at the press conference, there was some really stoopid questions.
Funny thing is, as I sat watching, I remember Art as a young lad and the dumbest thing was that was all I could think of.
Maybe it was a way to ignore the ridiculousness.

Anyway, the coaching search is on and there's about 999,0000,0000 clandestine infested theories to hash out while the hiring process takes place.
What bothers me is Omar is #2 on this... I really hate that.

 

Cowher leaving felt the same. Sometimes the position just takes its toll

 

Smh.. Cowher left with one year left on his contract.

Why do you always do this Joel?

“I’ve never.. NEVER”

NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/sports/football/06cowher.html

Cowher had one year left on his contract and, according to The Associated Press, was earning more than $4 million a year. Several other N.F.L. coaches make at least that much; Mike Holmgren of the Seattle Seahawks is the league’s highest-paid coach, making about $8 million.

Unless these reports are wrong I’m surprised no one pointed out Cowher left with one year one year left on his contract.

Tomlin coached for 19 years. Most people predicted Tomlin would step down because he wouldn’t get fired.

 

Doing his Google would get in the way of him pushing a narrative

 

Or Mom Frady

 

Or maybe he'll pull a Bruce Arians

 

The only thing I have heard (mind you, not confirmed) is that Dino is having some issues and Tomlin wanted to be there to help. Very commendable if true, a father helping his son.