A Monday report hinted that former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was not a realistic option for a Buffalo Bills side that somewhat surprisingly dismissed head coach Sean McDermott following Buffalo’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos this past Saturday.
Some previously suggested the Bills could acquire Tomlin’s services from the Steelers, similar to how the Denver Broncos landed the rights for head coach Sean Payton from the New Orleans Saints in early 2023. According to an update provided by Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated, Pittsburgh’s potential asking price for Tomlin has him out of Buffalo’s price range.
Mike Tomlin not a factor for Bills after firing of Sean McDermott?
“I think it would be in addition to the comp that the Broncos got for Sean Payton,” Orr said about what trading for Tomlin could cost a team this winter, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. “It would be more expensive than that, and the Bills certainly aren’t about to spend a first-round pick, at the height of (quarterback) Josh Allen’s prime, and try to waste that on getting Mike Tomlin. I don’t think Tomlin is a factor here.”
Specifically, the Broncos sent the Saints a 2023 first-round draft pick and a 2024 second-round selection for Payton and the Saints’ 2024 third-round choice. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh possesses Tomlin’s rights after he signed a three-year contract extension in June 2024. That deal reportedly included a team option for 2027.
Before the Bills showed McDermott the door, previous reports indicated Tomlin wanted to take at least a year-long break from serving as a full-time head coach. According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor and Jeremy Fowler, Tomlin may eventually welcome “an opportunity to build a team from the ground up, even perhaps over an opportunity with a ready-made roster and infrastructure.” The Bills are a win-now club that parted ways with McDermott largely because he was unable to guide the franchise to a Super Bowl appearance.
Mike Tomlin has entered leisure mode after stepping away from Steelers
“I checked on Mike Tomlin,” Orr said about how he reacted to the Bills-McDermott divorce. “That was one of the first things I did. Would he back out of a situation where he’s intending on spending time [away from football]? I heard he’s already in leisure mode, which is great. Good for Mike Tomlin.”
In short, it sounds like the thought of working with Allen won’t be enough to change Tomlin’s mind regarding how the 53-year-old will spend the next 12 months or so of his life.