Although Mike Tomlin has become a controversial figure in Pittsburgh in the past seven years, he remains one of the most respected Head coaches in the NFL. Sometimes people think the other side of the fence is better than what you have in your own backyard until it's gone. Tomlin has been a quality leader in the NFL since he took over the Steeler's top coaching duties.
Scrutiny against Tomlin has been warranted, especially since he has not won a playoff game since 2017. Those have been seven long years of concern and worry in Pittsburgh about ever reaching Super Bowl status again with him at the helm.
Well, what if there was a chance to trade Tomlin away? Would Steelers Nation consider trading a Head coach who has never had a losing season?
It would be foolish to even entertain moving or firing Tomlin. He has been producing a successful season and remains on the shortlist for Coach of the Year. Now is not the time to move away from Tomlin; he just signed an extension with the Black and Gold this past offseason. The only way you would pause to listen to trade chatter would be from an extraordinary offer.
Former Browns quarterback, and draft bust, went on the Fox Sports' 2 Pros & A Cup of Joe show recently and shoved out the idea of the Browns making a trade offer for Tomlin. He explained how Cleveland's current situation this year looks like their own Head coach, Kevin Stefanski could be fired by season's end. If that is the case, then he believes it would make perfect sense to go after Tomlin.
"If they did though and that became vacant (fired Stefanski), I would call," Quinn explained. "I would call the Steelers, dude, if I'm Jimmy Haslam, I'm going to offer whatever it takes to get Mike Tomlin. And at least make them say no. Make them an offer they can't refuse. And make them say no. That would be the approach I would take."
On one hand, you can't blame Quinn for saying this kind of trade idea. Most teams in the NFL would love to have a coach like Tomlin lead their club. He is a special type of leader who can find different ways to motivate each season. His consistency is revered by each organization. It's nearly impossible to imagine Tomlin ever coaching another team besides the Steelers during his career.
Let's get down to it, what would it take for the Browns to trade for Tomlin? Well, it would take a lot for Omar Khan to even keep the conversation going past the initial ask. Unless Khan and the Steelers ownership group wanted to move on from Tomlin, he would remain untouchable. There is always an outside chance Tomlin could want out, but that is also an unlikely scenario.
When it comes to a trade offer that would get the Steelers into conversations around Tomlin, Cleveland would have to offer a ton. We are talking first-round picks, and potentially a quality roster player or two. It would have to be a monumental price because Pittsburgh doesn't want to give up Tomlin.
Don't expect a trade for Mike Tomlin to go down (it won't), but Quinn's thought of consistency at Head Coach is the right path for the Browns.
