After 19 seasons and 193 wins, Mike Tomlin's tenure with the Steelers has come to a close.
The veteran head coach walked away from Pittsburgh on Tuesday, resigning from his post one day after the Steelers suffered a blowout wild-card loss to the Texans.
Tomlin's time in charge was a momentous one for his former employers. Pittsburgh emerged as one of football's finest teams across his first decade or so in charge, appearing in two Super Bowls and hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2008.
As the years wore on, though, the team's performances declined. His resignation comes at the right time for both parties, with the Steelers expected to take a step back as they attempt to create a pathway for long-term success. Tomlin, meanwhile, has an array of options as he attempts to figure out his next destination.
So, what will Tomlin do after leaving Pittsburgh? Here's what you need to know.
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What's next for Mike Tomlin?
Tomlin's departure didn't come as much of surprise around league circles. Rumors of his exit have lingered around him for more than two seasons, with the general sentiment -- at least among spectators -- that Pittsburgh could undergo a full-on reset. While the Steelers remained steady under Tomlin's tutelage, they've fallen from their perch as an AFC heavyweight, failing to get past the first weekend of the postseason since 2017.
A popular figure inside and outside the locker room, Tomlin figured to draw some interest as one of the marquee names in this year's coaching carousel. It seems he'll take a different approach to returning to the sidelines, however.
Tomlin tendered his resignation while under contract with the Steelers, having inked an extension with the organization that could have kept him with the franchise until 2027. As a result, Pittsburgh will retain his coaching rights should he take a year off from coaching, allowing the Steelers to negotiate a compensation package with another franchise who wants to acquire his services.
In other words, it seems likely that Tomlin will take his talents to the television booth rather than the sidelines in 2026. Here's a look at his best options:
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Fox
Jimmy Johnson's retirement left a void in Fox's NFL studio show, "Fox NFL Sunday." The program has yet to replace the Hall of Fame coach, waiting for another Cantonian (or future Cantonian) to take his place. Tomlin would seemingly fit the bill. He'd figure to slot nicely into Fox's star-studded cast, which features Michael Strahan, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Rob Gronkowski. According to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand, Fox is considered the favorite to land Tomlin.
ESPN
ESPN is expected to beef up its on-air talent as it readies to host the Super Bowl for the first time in 2027. Troy Aikman and Joe Buck are standouts. But the expectation, at least as far as Marchand is concerned, is that the network -- and its parent company, Disney -- will seek marquee names to join its "Monday Night Football" studio show.
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Tomlin would represent an ideal candidate for the Worldwide Leader in Sports. He's a charismatic presence who remains relevant to hardcore and casual audiences alike. With ESPN hoping to make a splash in Super Bowl 61, they could do worse than offer a deal to Tomlin.
NBC
"Sunday Night Football" remains a sports broadcasting touchstone in the United States. Things have remained fairly steady for the network, which is set to host Super Bowl 59 next month. The famed matchup won't return to NBC's banner until 2029, giving the network a chance to change things up within its ranks. Perhaps Tomlin could force the network to reconsider its lineup for the upcoming season.
CBS
Could Tomlin follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Bill Cowher, and land on CBS' flagship football program, "NFL Today"? It's not all that improbable. The show might not carry the same pull as ESPN and NBC's primetime offerings. But CBS is in need of a new face after Matt Ryan left the network to take over as the Falcons' president. Armed with David Ellison's dollars, CBS could offer Tomlin a lucrative deal to acquire his services -- even if it is only for a year.
Amazon Prime
Prime Video isn't believed to have any openings on its on-air roster. But Tomlin could be a big enough name to open up a spot for. Amazon certainly has the money to compete with any offer Tomlin could land elsewhere.
Why is Mike Tomlin stepping down from Steelers?
Tomlin appears to be ready to move on after 19 seasons within the Steel City. Things grew stale in the years following Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, with Pittsburgh failing to secure a long-term replacement under center. As such, the Steelers limped to mediocrity. They were consistently solid. But they failed to field a Super Bowl-caliber roster for the better part of the final 10 years of Tomlin's tenure.
Much of the blame for Pittsburgh's struggles was laid at Tomlin's feet. The front office refused to tank outright, limiting the Steelers' ability to find a franchise quarterback and platform their future success. In the end, a change was needed for both sides, with Pittsburgh finally getting a chance to reset and take on short-term losses for long-term gains. Tomlin, meanwhile, will draw serious NFL interest should he return to the sidelines, be it in 2027 or beyond.
How old is Mike Tomlin?
Tomlin is 53 years old. He'll turn 54 on March 15.
With his hiring, Tomlin became the ninth head-coach in Steelers history to be appointed in his 30s. At 34 years old, he became one football's youngest coaches when he was hired.