After five seasons of Mike McCarthy, the Dallas Cowboys are once again searching for a head coach. And NFL quarterback of 13 years Chase Daniel says don’t be surprised if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones makes a call to Pittsburgh in hopes of acquiring Mike Tomlin.
Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent playoff exit at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, rumors have been swirling about Tomlin’s potential firing. But Daniel believes it shouldn’t be the Steelers moving on from Tomlin, but the Pittsburgh head coach moving on to seek a new challenge.
Mike Tomlin’s Legacy in Pittsburgh
Tomlin is a legend in the Steel City. In 18 years as head coach, he’s made two Super Bowl appearances, including a victory in 2008.
Tomlin is highly regarded by both Steelers ownership and fans for incredibly never having a losing season during his long tenure.
It’s no secret that his phone would be ringing off the hook if Pittsburgh ever decided to let him go, making such a scenario hard to imagine. Given the well-respected legacy Tomlin has built within the organization, it’s understandable why Daniel believes the Steelers shouldn’t be the ones to cut ties.
Would Tomlin Ever Leave the Steelers?
While Tomlin has not hinted at wanting to leave Pittsburgh, Daniel believes the opportunity to take on a new challenge could entice him. Daniel compared Tomlin to prominent coaches like Andy Reid and Sean Payton, who left their longtime positions to seek Super Bowl success elsewhere.
“I look at him as like an Andy Reid or Sean Payton type of let’s leave where we’ve been at forever. Let’s go have some success somewhere else,” Daniel said on The Athletic’s podcast “Scoop City.”
A desire for a change may not be too far-fetched for Tomlin, as the Steelers have been good but not great in recent years.
Meanwhile, it’s well known that Jones will do whatever it takes to win. And if he had a chance with a coach like Tomlin, Jones would certainly do everything in his power to get him whatever he needed as far as staff and playmakers go.
Opportunity or Risk for Cowboys?
There are several reasons why Mike Tomlin should at least consider taking on the Cowboys’ head coaching job, but there may be just as many reasons not to.
Positives
Tomlin is known as a defensive mastermind, and taking on the Cowboys could give him the opportunity to prove it by revamping one of the league’s worst defenses in 2024. The Cowboys ranked 25th in Pro Football Network’s Defense+ rankings, presenting a daunting challenge.
Yet, that could be just the kind of task Tomlin is looking for. Additionally, Jones’ willingness to spend whatever it takes to build a contender makes Dallas’ head coaching position highly coveted. Having an owner so committed to winning undoubtedly makes a coach’s job easier and could be a key factor in Tomlin’s decision.
Negatives
However, working under Jones comes with risks. His relentless pursuit of the team’s first Super Bowl since 1995 often includes giving coaches a short leash, leaving little room for error. Moving from Pittsburgh to Dallas could put Tomlin’s hard-earned legacy at risk if he fails to meet expectations with the Cowboys.
Jones also has a history of micromanaging his coaches. Is that something an experienced coach like Tomlin wants to deal with after all his years of leadership?
Now Tomlin to Dallas is just speculation, but Daniel believes he’s the guy who would make the most sense. A well-respected coach leading the NFL’s most high-profile franchise is a logical and exciting proposition. However, whether Tomlin is willing to risk his legacy for the challenge remains to be seen.
Tomlin has a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning that he would have to agree to a trade to a particular team before the deal can be consummated. This doesn’t completely rule out a trade, but it is an added hurdle since Tomlin would have to sign off on the deal.
It’s also worth noting that Tomlin recently signed a contract extension with the Steelers, which runs through the 2027 season, so don’t be surprised if he’s back in Pittsburgh next year.