A Washington Commanders squad considering its options in the head coaching market this offseason is faced with dire circumstances according to a recent report outlining the Pittsburgh Steelers’ plans for Mike Tomlin.
According to reports, Ron Rivera will be let go by the Commanders following Week 18. One of the most well-known names associated with the Commanders as Rivera’s successor is Tomlin. There has been a lot of talk this summer about the Steelers possibly dealing Tomlin to the Commanders.
This season, the Steelers have not impressed in the AFC. This season, injuries to the offensive line and quarterback Kenny Pickett haven’t made Tomlin’s job easy. But, since the Steelers haven’t won a postseason game since 2016, supporters are furious over more than just this season.
The concept that the Steelers could trade Tomlin for draft capital in order to rebuild the team is somewhat common among the fan base. Tomlin is a Super Bowl-winning coach who would benefit from a new beginning with a different team that values him highly.
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According to reports, the Steelers don’t think much less of Tomlin, despite the fact that Pittsburgh hasn’t been a threat in the AFC since before Donald Trump took office. Mike Florio of NBC Sports reports that the Steelers intend to extend Tomlin in the upcoming offseason:
In fact, before the 2024 season kicks off, the Steelers plan to extend Tomlin’s contract, a person with knowledge of the matter tells PFT. Tomlin is already actively engaged in the 2024 and 2025 roster development process. He’s not expressing any signs of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, or readiness for a change.
Is it possible for another team to contact the Steelers during the summer and attempt to make a deal for Tomlin? Yes. The Steelers, however, do not want Tomlin to leave. Furthermore, they have no reason to think that Tomlin would prefer to be anyplace else than where he is right now.
Tomlin was a perfect fit for Washington. He’d be the kind of coach who could take over and instill the new owner Josh Harris’s vision for the culture. However, the Steelers would need to be open to trading Tomlin, and as of this offseason, it doesn’t appear that they are.
At least as long as the Steelers are still in the playoff hunt, the Commanders need to go elsewhere.
Mike Tomlin is tied to Kenny Pickett, for good or bad
It makes logical that the Steelers would want to retain Tomlin for the duration of Pickett’s rookie deal if Florio’s claim is correct. With the present offense personnel scenario, I don’t think many elite coaches will be willing to take a job.
Tomlin and Pickett are linked to each other in Pittsburgh. Thus, the Steelers’ next rebuild would take place following the 2025 campaign, when they will have had time to thoroughly clean house and select a new quarterback and head coach.
Is Tomlin going to be of interest to the Commanders in the 2025 offseason? That may depend on how the next head coach, Sam Howell, handles the trial.
