Buffalo‘s head coaching vacancy after Sean McDermott‘s sudden firing just days after the Bills‘ loss to the Broncos on Saturday has become a huge source of speculation.
But one high-profile name that won’t be resurfacing in Orchard Park appears to be Mike Tomlin.
Fans and analysts alike began tossing around Tomlin‘s name as a potential suitor for the job.
McDermott, who delivered consistent regularseason success and multiple playoff berths during his nineyear tenure, failed to clear the ultimate hurdle, a Super Bowl appearance, and ownership opted for a fresh start.
Meanwhile, Tomlin, who coached the Pittsburgh Steelers for 19 seasons and hoisted a Lombardi Trophy in the 2008 season, seemed like a tantalizing fit on paper.
But according to Tom Pelissero on The Rich Eisen Show, there are a host of reasons why that pairing will almost certainly not materialize.
The first hurdle isn’t strategy or reputation, it’s sheer logistics.
“Question one is, would the Rooneys even trade Mike Tomlin to Buffalo,” Pelissero said, referencing the Steelers‘ ownership.
“That is very close geographically, and it’s one of your AFC rivals. They’d have to be willing to do it.”
Because Tomlin stepped down from his role in Pittsburgh after nearly two decades, the Steelers technically retain his rights for the 2026 season.
Any club that wanted to hire him would almost certainly need to negotiate compensation, likely draft capital, just to get into the conversation.
Why the intrigue around Tomlin fizzled
While Tomlin‘s rsum boasts two Super Bowl trips and a championship, his recent track record doesn’t outshine McDermott‘s.
And in the league’s winnow landscape, recent success often matters more than historical accolades.
Over the past nine seasons, Tomlin‘s teams have notably struggled to find postseason traction, failing to win a playoff game during that stretch, a stark contrast with Bills‘ recent postseason achievements under McDermott.
And then there’s the personal side of the ledger.
Tomlin himself has publicly suggested he isn’t mentally geared up for another season on the sideline in 2026.
“At this point, I don’t believe that Mike Tomlin is in a mental space where he wants to coach in 2026,” Pelissero added.
“If that changes this week, next week, a month from now, there’s all kinds of different things that could happen. But… these coaching searches right now are full steam ahead.”
According to insiders, Tomlin has intentions of stepping away for at least the 2026 season, potentially exploring media, consulting, or simply taking a break after nearly two decades of nonstop NFL leadership.
For the Bills, that combination of contractual complications and lack of mutual urgency means the Tomlin reunion many fans dreamed about is unlikely to bear fruit.
Instead, Buffalo‘s front office, now led in part by newly promoted team president Brandon Beane, will pivot toward candidates who can hit the ground running with a roster featuring a franchise quarterback in Josh Allen and legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
