REPORT: Washington Commanders Receive Devastating News For 2024 Head Coaching Search
A new report detailing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ plans for Mike Tomlin spells gloom for a Washington Commanders team exploring options in the head coaching market this offseason.
The Commanders are reportedly set to fire Ron Rivera after Week 18. Tomlin is one of the most popular names linked to the Commanders to be Rivera’s replacement. There has been widespread speculation the Steelers would be willing to trade Tomlin to the Commanders this offseason.
The Steelers have underwhelmed in the AFC this season. Injuries to quarterback Kenny Pickett and the offensive line haven’t made Tomlin’s job easy this season. However, fans are upset with more than this season, as the Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016.
There is a somewhat popular idea with the fanbase that the Steelers could trade Tomlin for draft capital to rebuild the team. Tomlin, a Super Bowl-winning coach, could use a fresh start in a different organization that sees Tomlin as a valuable asset.
One Washington Commanders HC option bites the dust Saturday
The Steelers reportedly don’t see much depreciation in Tomlin, even though Pittsburgh has not been a threat in the AFC since before the beginning of the Donald Trump presidency. According to Mike Florio with NBC Sports, the Steelers want to extend Tomlin this offseason “In fact, a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that the Steelers intend to extend Tomlin’s contract before the 2024 season begins. Already, Tomlin is directly involved in roster planning for 2024 and 2025. He’s giving no indication that he’s unhappy or disgruntled or ready for something new.
Could another team call the Steelers in the offseason and try to essentially trade for Tomlin? Sure. But the Steelers don’t want Tomlin to go. And they have no reason to believe Tomlin wants to be anywhere other than where he currently is.”
Tomlin would have been a great fit in Washington. He’d be the type of coach who could come in and change the culture the way new owner Josh Harris envisions. But the Steelers would have to be willing to trade Tomlin, and that doesn’t seem to be the case this offseason.
The Commanders must look elsewhere, at least while the Steelers stay in the playoff race
If Florio’s report is accurate, the Steelers seem inclined to keep Tomlin throughout Pickett’s rookie contract, which makes sense. I don’t think many high-quality coaches will line up to take a job with the current roster situation on offense.
Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh is tied to Pickett. And that means the Steelers’ next rebuild would be after the 2025 season when they can truly clean house and find a new head coach and quarterback.
Will the Commanders have an interest in Tomlin during the 2025 offseason? That could depend on how the Sam Howell experiment goes with the next head coach.
