One argument among NFL pundits for why the Pittsburgh Steelers will not depart with Mike Tomlin this offseason is the fact he has two years remaining on his contract. But a new critical detail with Tomlin’s deal has emerged this weekend.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday night the final year of the longtime head coach’s current contract is a team option. Schefter wrote the Steelers “must decide” by March 1 “whether to pick up” 2027 on Tomlin’s deal.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are not going to fire coach Mike Tomlin, but they do have a significant decision to make early next year based on the option year in his contract, sources tell ESPN,” wrote Schefter.
Schefter and other insiders have emphasized the Steelers don’t plan to fire Tomlin. But if the team doesn’t want to pick up the coach’s 2027 option, then that could still pave way for a separation this offseason.
Why 2027 Option is Very Key for Mike Tomlin’s Future
Pundits insist there isn’t noise in the Steelers organization about parting with Tomlin. But the reason why his contract this latest contract detail is noteworthy is because of the anger in the Steelers fanbase about Tomlin’s job performance.
During the Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Steelers fans chanted “fire Tomlin” so loudly the head coach addressed it twice this past week.
Schefter reported the Steelers will wait until the end of the season to make a decision on Tomlin’s 2027 option. If the organization elects not to pick up the option, then Tomlin would enter 2026 as a lame duck.
For the NFL, that would be highly unusual. It would put Tomlin and the team in an awkward situation. If that were to occur, it’s possible, both sides could decide a mutual parting before 2026 would be beneficial.
Tomlin owns a 189-113-2 record as Steelers head coach, which gives him an impressive .625 win percentage. He has never suffered a losing season, and Tomlin led the Steelers to their sixth Super Bowl championship in 2009.
But the Steelers have not won a playoff game in eight years and sit at 6-6 this season. The Steelers are 6-11 in their past 17 games (including the playoffs).
Steelers Plan to Pick Up Tomlin’s Option: Report
While the new detail in Tomlin’s contract, and the timing of the news, is intriguing, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has already added to Schefter’s initial report that there isn’t much drama with Tomlin’s 2027 option.
“Last June, set to enter the final year of his contract, Tomlin signed a three-year extension that secured the future of one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches. That deal, however, contains a team option that must be picked up by March to lock in that 2027 season,” wrote Rapoport.
“If not, Tomlin would enter the 2026 season in a contract year — which would be noteworthy considering his stature. That’s why it’s likely the team would pick the option up, sources say.”
If the Steelers pick up Tomlin’s option, it will be business as usual for the head coach and proud organization, which has lost six consecutive playoff games.
Rapoport noted that the noise around Tomlin will stop if the Steelers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. That would be a big win, however, it’s wishful thinking to believe defeating a 6-6 Ravens team will get all of Pittsburgh back on Tomlin’s side.
The head coach has to win in January to get back in the fanbase’s good graces.
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