Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach in January and is currently an analyst for NBC Sports. He could be interested in returning to the sidelines next season. If that’s the case, the Indianapolis Colts need to pursue him.
The Colts recently fired Chris Ballard, who had served as the team’s general manager for nearly 10 years. During his time in Indianapolis, the Colts didn’t win a division title, made the playoffs only twice, and finished 72-82-1. Needless to say, it was certainly time for Ballard to go.
It’s unclear who the Colts’ next GM will be. That person may decide to fire current head coach Shane Steichen. The former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator has failed to guide Indianapolis to the playoffs. Plus, he currently has a 2-4 record this season following an embarrassing Week 6 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
If Steichen is let go, maybe Mike Tomlin will be his replacement in Indy.
Mike Tomlin Could Be the Answer for the Indianapolis Colts
Looking Back at His Pittsburgh Tenure
The Steelers hired Mike Tomlin in January 2007. He replaced the legendary Bill Cowher, who had spent 15 years with the team.
During his first season in Pittsburgh, Tomlin led the Steelers to a 10-6 record and an AFC North Division Championship. The Steelers lost in the first round of the playoffs, though, to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The following season, Tomlin became the youngest head coach in NFL history to both coach in and win a Super Bowl when he led Pittsburgh to a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
This season, Tomlin’s Steelers finished with a 10-7 record and won the AFC North. However, they suffered a 30-6 blowout loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
During his tenure in Pittsburgh, Tomlin has led the team to seven AFC North titles and has guided the Steelers to the playoffs 13 times. In addition, the team has reached the Super Bowl twice (also lost to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV).
The Last Word
Mike Tomlin
Oct 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen yells during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Perhaps Mike Tomlin just needed a short break from coaching and will ultimately look to return to the NFL in 2027. Several teams will show interest in him if that happens. There are plenty of head coaching vacancies each and every offseason.
The Colts, if Steichen is fired, need to go out and get Mike Tomlin. Lee Vowell of Horseshoe Heroes wrote about what Tomlin would bring to Indianapolis:
“The coach’s offenses weren’t always great, but he liked a conservative, ball-control approach that augmented a good-to-great defense. In 12 of Tomlin’s 19 seasons, his defense ranked in the top 10 in points allowed. Six times, the unit ranked in the top five. His teams were known for elite discipline and players buying completely into the team-first philosophy.”
Without a doubt, that sounds like the kind of coach the Colts need. Steichen was a great offensive coordinator, helping guide the Eagles to a Super Bowl make appearance during the 2022 campaign. However, Steichen just hasn’t gotten the job done as a head coach in Indianapolis.
No, Tomlin might not be able to win a Super Bowl with the Colts like he did in Pittsburgh. But he should manage to make them a respectable team and get to the playoffs, something the Colts haven’t done since the 2020 campaign.
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Main Image: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images