The New York Jets have been floated as one of the more intriguing destinations for Mike Tomlin if the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach decides to return to the sideline in 2027.
Bleacher Report analyst Moe Moton included the Jets among five clubs that could make sense for Tomlin next year. The list also featured the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders.
Tomlin stepped away from Pittsburgh after 19 seasons and is working this year as a studio analyst for NBC. He has not closed the door on coaching again.
“I don’t know about the long-term component of things,” Tomlin said. “I’ve just lived enough to know to leave certain doors ajar.”
The Jets are coming off a 3-14 season in Aaron Glenn’s first year as head coach. The franchise has not reached the playoffs since 2010 and has cycled through coaches and quarterbacks without lasting success.
Glenn still has time to change the picture. Another year of little progress, though, would put him under heavier scrutiny. Moton noted that after hiring first-time head coaches in recent years, the Jets could look for a proven leader with a bigger presence.
Tomlin won a Super Bowl in Pittsburgh and posted a 193-114-2 regular-season record. He reached the playoffs in most of his seasons there, even if the postseason results were mixed at 8-12.
For New York, the appeal would go beyond the résumé. The Jets could have a high draft pick in 2027 and extra first-round capital already on the books. That would give a new coach a chance to pick a quarterback and add more talent in the same cycle.
Tomlin already knows safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from their years together in Pittsburgh. Linebacker Demario Davis remains a veteran presence in the middle of the defense, and rookie edge rusher David Bailey has drawn early praise.
The logistics are not simple. The Steelers still hold contractual rights that run through 2027. Any team that wants Tomlin would likely need Pittsburgh’s cooperation, and his deal includes a no-trade clause.
Owner Woody Johnson has been described by league sources as already asking questions about Tomlin. Reports have suggested it would take a sizable package — perhaps even an ownership stake — to lure him to a franchise long viewed as unstable.
Tomlin has sounded content in the booth so far. On “The Dan Patrick Show,” he said he was enjoying the break from the grind.
“I am having the time of my life to be quite honest with you,” Tomlin said. “I’ve never had an August, man, since I was like 8 years old. I’ve always been on a football team and in a camp-like setting of some description. August was great. I can’t wait to see what September is like.”
Still, people around the league expect him to be the top name if he wants back in. The Jets would offer the New York market, a chance to start over at quarterback, and a roster that already has some defensive pieces he understands.
Glenn can keep the job if the team takes a clear step forward this season. If it does not, the conversation about Tomlin is unlikely to fade.
For now it remains speculation. The 2026 season has to play out first. But the idea of pairing a coach with Tomlin’s track record and a high draft pick is the kind of reset Jets fans have waited years to see.
