Mike Tomlin’s name came up in a wild trade rumor ahead of Week 18, as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter told host Mike Greenberg that he believes certain teams with head coaching vacancies could call the Pittsburgh Steelers about a trade for the veteran HC, let’s say his team is eliminated by the Baltimore Ravens in the wildcard round.
On January 6, Schefter addressed those rumors while speaking with the Pat McAfee Show.
“I know that we talked about it on Sunday Countdown, raised the idea that a couple of teams were pondering [a trade for Tomlin],” Schefter acknowledged, adding: “And I think one team actually looked into it and uncovered the fact that his contract has a no-trade clause in it.”
“So, even if Pittsburgh wanted to trade him — [and] we’ve gotten zero indication that it does — they couldn’t do that without his permission because he’s got a no-trade clause in his contract,” the insider explained. “Again, that doesn’t stop teams… [from] calling up a team [to] say, ‘would your organization have any interest in listening to conversations?’”
Schefter concluded that the Steelers don’t “seem to be interested” in that sort of move at this time, even if Tomlin were to agree to it.
Schefter’s Initial Report Hinted Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Trade Calls Have Been One-Sided
With a contingent of the fanbase frustrated with Tomlin and the Steelers’ most recent collapse over the past four weeks of football, Schefter’s initial report drew some attention on the internet, but even that rumor hinted that these trade calls were one-sided.
“I think there are going to be some teams out there that have watched the way the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season has ended and wonder whether they should call the Steelers to see if they should inquire about whether the Steelers would be willing to move on from Mike Tomlin and move him to another organization,” Schefter originally said on January 5.
Continuing: “I don’t think Pittsburgh will do that. That has not been what they’ve been about. And there’s no indication that they would. But I do think there are teams wondering if they should lob in a call and see if they could stir Pittsburgh’s interest.”
The Steelers signed Tomlin to a three-year contract extension in June of 2024. Since then, it’s been a roller coaster season that began with coach of the year chants and has ended with trade chatter and calls for firings.
With all that in mind, we must remember that the Steelers franchise is one that’s built on consistency and stability. Pittsburgh hasn’t seriously challenged for a Super Bowl in some time, and that’s a problem, but they aren’t known for making rash decisions either.
Tomlin will be the head coach in 2025 — win or lose. No trade will change that.
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