Three Teams Have Officially Contacted the Steelers About Trading for Mike Tomlin. Will Art Rooney II Say Yes?
A stunning league-wide storyline is developing as multiple NFL teams have now reached out to the Pittsburgh Steelers to inquire about a potential trade for head coach Mike Tomlin, league sources confirmed this week. The news has ignited intense speculation about Tomlin’s future and placed franchise owner
Tomlin, who has coached in Pittsburgh since 2007, remains one of the most accomplished head coaches in the NFL. He has
The situation escalated after insider
Josina Anderson reported that a “longtime NFL head coach” is privately considering a change of scenery for 2026 and beyond. Around the league, many believe that description fits Tomlin.
Three Teams Have Made Their Move
According to multiple analysts, three teams have already expressed interest in negotiating a trade for Tomlin this offseason. All three franchises are in desperate need of a culture-setting leader with proven experience.
1. New York Giants
The Giants recently fired Brian Daboll after another disappointing season and are aggressively searching for a new identity. Veteran columnist Ian O’Connor described Tomlin as the “perfect fit” for New York and urged the franchise not to miss this opportunity. With a rebuilt roster and strong market appeal, the Giants view Tomlin as the centerpiece of a long-term reset.
2. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have not posted back-to-back winning seasons since 2014 and 2015. Analysts believe Arizona is prepared to offer significant draft capital in exchange for a stabilizing presence like Tomlin. Some insiders joked that five straight winning seasons under his leadership would “earn him a statue in the desert.”
3. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are expected to part ways with Mike McDaniel after a sharp decline following his hot start as head coach. Miami has not won a playoff game since 2000, and ownership is reportedly eager to bring in an authoritarian, culture-transforming leader. Tomlin checks every box and is viewed as a franchise reset button.
The Decision Falls to Art Rooney II
Although teams can contact Pittsburgh, no move can happen without Rooney’s approval. Historically, the Steelers have been one of the most stable organizations in professional sports. Trading a head coach is extremely rare and would mark a dramatic shift in philosophy.
Insiders say Rooney remains torn between loyalty to Tomlin and the growing belief that the franchise may need a fresh direction. A blockbuster trade could return multiple premium draft picks similar to the packages once exchanged for Jon Gruden, Bill Belichick, and Sean Payton.
Is a Trade Likely?
The move is still considered unlikely, but league observers caution that modern NFL front offices are more aggressive than ever. With Tomlin reportedly open to a change of scenery and several teams prepared to negotiate, the decision may ultimately hinge on whether Art Rooney II believes Pittsburgh’s championship path still runs through its longtime leader.
For now, all eyes turn to Rooney.
Will he hold firm to Steelers tradition or pull the trigger on one of the most stunning coach trades in NFL history?
Esa Pole’s Unlikely Journey Leads to NFL Debut with Kansas City Chiefs
ARLINGTON, Texas – Esa Pole may not sleep on Wednesday night. The journey to his first NFL game looks a lot like the Six Flags thrill rides he’ll see next to AT&T Stadium.
He officially earned a seat on that team bus Wednesday, when the Chiefs elevated him from the practice squad along with veteran safety Mike Edwards.
That means Pole, one of few NFL players who never played football in high school, is expected to make his NFL debut when the Chiefs visit Dallas on Thanksgiving (3:30 p.m. CT, CBS/KCTV, Channel 5, 96.5 The Fan).
One of the more unique football foundations in recent league history began with a bit of family conflict in the summer of 2021. A year out of high school, he enrolled at Chabot Community College in Hayward, Calif., before moving to Washington State in 2023.
A 6-7, 319-pound lineman, Pole is expected to be active on Thursday because Pro Bowler Trey Smith is expected to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. Mike Caliendo will start at right guard, and Pole should dress as a reserve, potentially playing on special teams.
From Kansas City to New York and ... back to Kansas City
Pole signed with the Chiefs after going undrafted in April and spent the entire offseason with Kansas City. He nearly made the team in the final roster reduction, but instead got claimed on waiver by the New York Jets.
But Pole couldn’t capitalize on a great opportunity when a torn triceps ended Alijah Vera-Tucker’s season. Hampered by an ankle injury, Pole was inactive in Week 1 against Pittsburgh and never got back into the Jets’ offensive line. New York waived him seven weeks into the season and, once he cleared waivers, the Chiefs pounced on him Oct. 25.
Edwards to fill void left by Roland-Wallace
Edwards, a 5-10, 205-pound safety out of Kentucky, was released in August at the final roster reduction but re-signed with the Chiefs as a practice-squad veteran. This marks his first elevation this season and Kansas City will need him on both special teams and in coverage because Chris Roland-Wallace is out with lower-back soreness.
Edwards, who won a Super Bowl against Kansas City when he played for the Buccaneers in 2020, had signed a one-year, $2.8 million contract to return to the Chiefs in April as an unrestricted free agent.
Tampa Bay’s third-round selection in the 2019 draft, Edwards has eight career interceptions, three of which he’s returned for touchdowns.
NFL rules allow practice-squad players up to three standard gameday elevations before teams must either release them or sign them to the 53-man roster.
