Before Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, fans often speculated about what he might command in a trade. Reports even surfaced over the years that the Steelers declined to entertain trade discussions with interested teams. While it remains unclear whether Tomlin will ever return to coaching, one thing is certain: one of his former coaches believes he's worth far more than most people realize. In fact, his value could exceed any compensation we've ever seen in a head coach trade.
Tomlin's former head coach, Jon Gruden, joined Cam Heyward's Not Just Football podcast and left little doubt about how highly he values Tomlin.
“If you get a guy like Mike Tomlin, you know he’s going to hire a good group of coaches and he’s going to develop players,” Gruden said. “That’s worth a lot more than a first-round pick, if you ask me.”
What's a realistic value for Tomlin?
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
If Tomlin ever decides to return to coaching, the Steelers still hold his rights. It's unclear how long they could retain those rights in the unlikely event he returns, but any potential compensation would likely fall somewhere between the most recent head coach trade and Gruden's own blockbuster deal.
In 2023, the Denver Broncos acquired Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a first-round pick and a second-round pick while also receiving a third-round pick as part of the deal. Payton and Tomlin have comparable resumes, with both winning a Super Bowl as head coaches.
In 2002, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired Gruden from the Oakland Raiders for two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and cash considerations. The move paid off immediately, as Gruden, who had Tomlin on his staff, led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl championship.
A Tomlin trade would likely land somewhere between those two benchmarks. He's one of the NFL's most respected coaches, and any team looking for a proven leader would likely have significant interest. However, there's one major caveat.
Chances are Tomlin won't return to coaching
Of course, this discussion assumes Tomlin eventually follows a path similar to Payton's and returns to the sideline. After 19 seasons, though, there's a good chance he's finished coaching for good.
Like his predecessor, Bill Cowher, Tomlin will likely be connected to coaching vacancies for years before the speculation eventually fades. Cowher never returned to the sidelines, opting instead for a successful television career. One that's undoubtedly less stressful than coaching in the NFL.
Tomlin is set to begin his own television career with NBC this season. The move felt inevitable after he stepped away from football. He'll remain closely connected to the game without the relentless demands and pressures that come with leading an NFL franchise.
Head coaching careers rarely last as long as Tomlin's did. His decision allows him to enjoy the next chapter while he waits for what seems like an inevitable call to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the years ahead.
