With so many rumors surrounding coach Mike Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh – and after it was reported Saturday that Tomlin will discuss his future with his family after the season ends – it was inevitable that he would be asked about it after Monday's playoff game in Buffalo became .
He almost wasn't. As is often the case with many reporters and a potentially sensitive subject, no one had asked until the final call for questions during the press conference. A reporter prefaced a question by saying, “Mike, you have another year left on your contract. . . .”
Before the next word came out, Tomlin turned left and walked away.
As we reported during halftime of Saturday's Browns-Texans game on NBC, Tomlin always evaluates his situation after the end of each season. However, this year is unique as he has always received a contract extension of at least two years.
Now he is one season away from free agency. Unrestricted. Unrestricted. No franchise tag. No salary cap.
Will he sign a new contract in Pittsburgh? (The Steelers want to try.) Will he resign and perhaps join a new team that trades his rights in the current cycle? Will he step down in 2025 and return to a new team with compensation? Or will he just finish his contract and go wherever he wants?
We do not know it. All we know is that he will leave the room if the subject comes up.