Not long after Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin decided to step down, he has now put out a statement on his decision.
Tomlin's tenure in Pittsburgh ends after 19 seasons and two trips to the Super Bowl that included one Super Bowl title. There is no doubt he will go down as a Steelers legend.
Shortly after making his decision official, Tomlin released a statement, which the team shared on its website.
Here's the statement in its entirety:
After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team. I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support. I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful.
I want to also thank Steelers Nation. Your passion, loyalty, and high expectations represent what makes this franchise truly special. Coaching in Pittsburgh is unlike anywhere else, and I will always take great pride in having been a steward of this team.
While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh.
As far as what Tomlin does from here, that remains to be seen.
That said, the overwhelming expectation is Tomlin will take a year off before returning to coaching in 2027.
In the meantime, Tomlin is expected to take a television gig, with The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reporting every network will have interest in him. FOX is considered the favorite, though.
Once Tomlin does decide to return to coaching, the Steelers will still own his contract rights since he wasn't fired, which means he'll have to be traded.
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