Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti addressed reporters on Tuesday regarding the recent decision to part ways with head coach John Harbaugh. During the conversation, news broke that Mike Tomlin will step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after an impressive 19-season tenure. This prompted questions about the possibility of Tomlin replacing Harbaugh in Baltimore.
When asked about Tomlin as a potential candidate, Bisciotti responded with humor, stating, “Holy s—, wouldn’t that be awesome? Only if John [Harbaugh] takes the Pittsburgh job.” He acknowledged the interesting nature of such a scenario, noting the competitive history between the two coaches. Bisciotti referenced a closely contested game in Week 18, where Baltimore kicker Tyler Loop missed a crucial field goal, allowing the Steelers to secure a 26-24 victory and advance to the playoffs, effectively ending the Ravens’ season.
The rivalry between Tomlin and Harbaugh is significant, with the two having faced off 44 times during their careers in the AFC North. Despite the speculation, there is currently no indication that Harbaugh is interested in coaching for the Steelers, nor is Tomlin’s future with the Ravens straightforward. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Steelers will retain Tomlin’s coaching rights since he voluntarily stepped down.
In June 2024, Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension that includes an option for the team to retain him through 2027. Consequently, should the Ravens pursue Tomlin, they would need to negotiate a trade for his services, similar to how the Denver Broncos acquired Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
Bisciotti expressed his admiration for Tomlin, saying, “I love Mike. I mean, I’ve admired Mike for 18 years.” He found the news of Tomlin’s resignation surprising but refrained from making any definitive statements about his potential as a replacement, leaving such decisions to Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta.
For now, Tomlin has reportedly decided to take a break from coaching, with expectations of remaining away from the sidelines through at least the 2026 NFL season. There is speculation that he may transition into a media role, with Fox emerging as a leading candidate to hire him as an analyst in the near future.
As the Ravens navigate the coaching search, the dynamics of the NFL coaching landscape are shifting, with Tomlin’s future remaining a focal point for both franchises and fans alike.
