Schefter: Steelers' Mike Tomlin Could Make Big Decision To Sit Out 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has done it again. For the 17th consecutive season, he has led Pittsburgh to at least a .500 record. This year, it was perhaps the most impressive job that Tomlin has done. With their backs against the wall and a 7-7 record, the Steelers reeled off three straight wins to close out the season. With some help from the Tennessee Titans, Tomlin's crew snuck into the playoffs as well.

Instead of entering the offseason, Tomlin and his group are preparing for at least one more game. The Buffalo Bills will be no easy task on Sunday, as the AFC East champions are 10-point favorites on FanDuel. Tomlin isn't yet focused on his future in Pittsburgh, but there continue to be rumors from around the league. On Sunday NFL Countdown, ESPN's Adam Schefter speculated that Tomlin could go the Sean Payton route in perhaps leaving the team on his own terms.

"They're not firing Mike Tomlin, but here's the thing that's interesting. He's got a year left on his contract, and there are some people around the league who believe that Mike Tomlin could decide eventually to take some time off like Sean Payton did. Maybe take a year off, we'll see if that's something that's on his mind. But Mike Tomlin gets to dictate what happens here, not the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're not firing him."

Payton, a legendary head coach in his own right, left the New Orleans Saints back in 2022 after 16 years with the team. The Saints and Payton struggled in their first year without Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, and the head coach seemingly didn't see a bright future there. He took a year off and spent some time in broadcasting. Then, last offseason, he landed with the Denver Broncos in a trade that brought him back to the NFL as a head coach.

It's something that Tomlin could entertain, especially if multiple people around the league view it as a legitimate possibility. Just days prior to Schefter's report, FOX's Jay Glazer echoed similar comments in that it will be Tomlin's choice in what to do in 2024. It's been quite a turnaround over the last few weeks. Just before the three-game winning streak, many believed that Tomlin could possibly be fired for the team's struggles. 

"He's staying on. But he's staying on if he wants to. If he decides that he'd like to walk, well that's a different subject. Maybe there's a team out there, he's from Washington, his wife loves Los Angeles, maybe one of them wants to lob a call over to the Steelers to see if they could wind up doing something with him," Schefter continued on Sunday.

Schefter is referencing potential openings that could intrigue Tomlin, such as the Washington Commanders or Los Angeles Chargers. Glazer, and Schefter, also mention the chance that there could be a trade. Tomlin could essentially pick a place that he wants to go, while the Steelers would get some compensation back. In all likelihood though, he will be the Steelers' head coach for Week 1 of the 2024 season. 

Should Steelers Make Sure To Extend Tomlin This Offseason?

In the meantime, Tomlin does have bigger things to worry about at the moment, such as whether to stick with Mason Rudolph at quarterback or revert back to Kenny Pickett. Based off the team's success with Rudolph, he seems likely to remain the starter against the Bills. Tomlin will likely announce the starter in his press conference on Tuesday. The tide has changed in the last few weeks, and it will be interesting to see if the Rooney family extends Tomlin's deal this offseason.

What do you think ends up happening with Tomlin and the Steelers? Do you think ownership ends up extending Tomlin's contract this offseason? Is there any legitimacy that Pittsburgh could trade their head coach? How have your thoughts and opinions on this changed over the last three weeks? Share your thoughts in the comments below, yinz!

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