A Mike Tomlin trade could be possible, but unlikely

The report came quickly, one day after the Steelers’ season ended with another postseason performance.

“they”Don’t plan“To make a change in training.

It’s an interesting choice of words. Plans can change. Sometimes they do. So what will change their plans regarding Mike Tomlin’s future?

The only thing that can change their plans is an offer they can’t refuse.

And given the belief that Tomlin would immediately find another coaching job if he wanted one, why not trade him and get great value?

The problem with this approach is that coaches cannot be traded like players. The procedure goes like this. A team interested in hiring another team’s coach will contact that team and enter into compensation negotiations, if the team using the coach has an interest in reaching a deal. After reaching agreement on terms, the new team has the right to negotiate with the coach in an attempt to reach an agreement. If no agreement is reached, there will be no trade.

A more practical approach is for a team interested in a coach to another team to determine through back channels whether the coach is interested. If the message from Tomlin’s camp is: “No thanks.” It’s the same result.

Why would Tomlin want to agree to a trade? He can simply refuse, forcing the team to change their plans in a different way. Then, if the Steelers fire him, he’ll be able to take another job right away without burdening his new team by giving up a first-round pick or more. Or he can take a year off with full pay and choose open positions in 2026.

If the report was that the Steelers were definitely not going to make a coaching change, it would look different. “Don’t plan” could be a subtle invitation to the Jets, Bears, Saints, Jaguars, Raiders, and perhaps the Cowboys, whose contract with Mike McCarthy expires in two days.