The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – Mike Tomlin Leaves Steelers, Robert Mays Explores What's Next for Tomlin
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest Analyst: Robert Mays (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the seismic news that Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has officially stepped down after 19 storied seasons. Colin Cowherd lays out the immediate impact on the Steelers, the broader coaching market, and potential career paths for Tomlin. Special guest Robert Mays from The Athletic offers in-depth analysis. Together, they examine the Steelers' future, top head coaching candidates, team-building philosophies, the competitiveness of current coaching vacancies, and what Tomlin’s departure means for the broader NFL landscape.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Breaking News: Mike Tomlin Steps Down

[01:51, 11:09, 34:16]

• Cowherd confirms Tomlin's resignation, calling it a "historic 19 season run" and "the end of an era" for the Steelers.

• He speculates that Tomlin wasn't fired but mutually agreed to step down, hinting at behind-the-scenes negotiations and referencing fan dissatisfaction and organizational fatigue.

  "It's just being reported. Mike Tomlin has officially stepped down after a historic 19 season run. According to Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers will be looking for their first coach, only their fourth coach since the late 60s." – Colin Cowherd [01:51]

• Steelers Ownership Statement (read by Cowherd): Highly complimentary, expressing immense gratitude for Tomlin’s dedication and listing his many accomplishments.

  "Track record of never having a losing season, likely never be duplicated. My family and I, everybody connected to the Steelers management, forever grateful for the passion and dedication Mike Tomlin has devoted to Steelers football. I mean, he's a Hall of Fame coach." – Colin Cowherd [34:16]

Was It Time for Tomlin to Go?

[12:07, 35:59]

• Mays and Cowherd both agree it was the right time, emphasizing that the relationship between Tomlin and the Steelers had "run its course" and a reset was due.

• Upcoming youth movement: Steelers poised to take advantage of high draft capital and shed aging defensive stars.

  "We were in a place with both the Steelers and Mike Tomlin where it was mutually beneficial for them to go their separate ways... The Steelers are poised to go from being one of the oldest teams in the league to... a youth movement. They have a ton of picks this year." – Robert Mays [12:07], [35:59]

• Reset vs. rebuild: Steelers have a strong culture but lack a clear direction, especially at quarterback.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Future Directions and Leading Candidates

[13:06, 13:09, 36:34]

• Cowherd pushes for an offensive-minded coach like Kevin Stefanski, arguing that culture coaches are less critical right now than schematic innovation.

• Mays responds that while the Steelers are unconventional and surprise with hires (hired Tomlin at 35, then an unknown), they aren’t afraid to chart their own course; all options are open.

• Both agree: Quarterback situation is a major handicap for prospective coaches.

  "Whoever takes a Steelers job, they don't have a quarterback. Whoever gets the Giants has Jackson Dart. So we all say, oh, Ian Cohen. Yeah, but he had a quarterback." – Colin Cowherd [36:34]

Broader NFL Coaching Market: Nine Openings, New Possibilities

[11:09, 19:23, 26:40, 28:19]

• Nine head coach vacancies, including the Steelers, Giants, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Falcons, Cardinals, Raiders, and Dolphins—making it one of the most competitive cycles in years.

  "Nine openings is the most since 2022. So. Wow, this is just wild." – Colin Cowherd [28:03]

• Shifts in hiring philosophy: Owners more willing to clean house, pay big buyouts, and chase the "right guy" thanks to increased franchise valuations.

• Cowherd calls for teams to avoid "coordinator roulette" if proven leaders like Tomlin, Harbaugh, and Stefanski are available.

The Giants and Other Openings: Matching Coaches to Team Needs

[15:00, 15:41]

• Giants need "a culture guy" because of recent dysfunction. Tomlin and Harbaugh are top fits; Stefanski would be a better match in a situation needing offensive overhaul.

• Mays: The Giants offer stability and patience, which is attractive to experienced coaches.

  "The Giants as an organization are more attractive to people in the NFL than they are to the general public right now because of how bad they've recently [been]." – Robert Mays [15:41]

• Steelers ranked only the third best job opening due to lack of quarterback and aging roster.

On Tomlin’s Next Step: TV, a “Sabbatical,” or a New Job?

[12:07, 15:41, 24:54]

• Cowherd speculates Tomlin could take a year off, like Sean Payton, and return stronger—possibly waiting for a better job, such as Dallas or even Green Bay.

• Both agree Tomlin would be a top-tier TV analyst but that he’s too competitive to stay away long.

  "I look at Tomlin and I think, Tomlin's a competitive guy. He's not a sit, put a nice suit on and talk football. He could do it for a year and he'd probably be unbelievably great... He could do broadcasting. And he took the Denver job..." – Colin Cowherd [23:08]

• Mays: A year off would be beneficial—gives Tomlin space to reassess, build new staff or philosophy, and return fresh.

  "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I want to take a step back and for a year just visit with people around the league, talk to people... Just think about how you need to build things moving forward.” – Robert Mays [24:54]

Most and Least Attractive Head Coach Vacancies

[13:58, 17:28, 19:23, 39:49]

• Most desirable jobs: Ravens (because of Lamar Jackson), Giants (thanks to Jackson Dart), Titans (potential with Cam Ward).
• Steelers and Cards rated near the bottom—lack of clear franchise quarterback, aging rosters, tough divisions.
• Cowherd and guests repeatedly state: "The best job is where your quarterback is at." [36:34, 39:49]
• On Packers and Matt LaFleur: Young roster, not underachieving, still has a ceiling—keep LaFleur.

“Change Agent” Coaches: Immediate Impact Is Accelerating Turnover

[17:28, 29:09]

• Owners are motivated by model turnarounds—Vrabel, Jim Harbaugh, D'Amico Ryans, Mike McDonald, Ben Johnson, Liam Cohen—proving one coach can remake a franchise's fortunes almost overnight.

• Discussion: Even formerly hopeless franchises (like the Texans, Bears) now feel different, highlighting the right coach's transformative power.

  “You can convince yourself that if you get the right guy, you can change everything in an instant. And as long as we have evidence that points to that, I think you're going to see owners operate this way.” – Robert Mays [29:49]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Tomlin’s leadership and exit:

  "We were in a place with both the Steelers and Mike Tomlin where it was mutually beneficial for them to go their separate ways... It's a reset, even if it's not a rebuild." – Robert Mays [12:07]

• Philosophy on head coach hiring:

  "You start looking at all these coaches that have worked. I mean, Mike McCarthy goes to Dallas, he won 12 games three times. He inherited Dak. Try to find the guys that go to an organization that have no idea what they're doing at quarterback because that's the Steelers." – Colin Cowherd [36:34]

• On taking a year off:

  "Guys can benefit from a year off. If I'm Mike Tomlin, I think that where I would sit back and evaluate who I was as a coach and what did I need to be moving forward would be in how you build your staff..." – Robert Mays [24:54]

• On rapid coaching turnover:

  “Owners used to be worth 650 million. Now they're worth 4 billion. And they can just write those checks. They can just clean the staff out. Here's 60 million. I'm starting over.” – Colin Cowherd [28:20]

• On the power of one coaching hire:

  "Think about the way the Bears are talked about... Ben Johnson's been there for 11 months. And how different does it feel? It feels so different. And I think that's why there's an allure to this, because you can convince yourself that if you get the right guy, you can change everything in an instant." – Robert Mays [29:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic Description | |-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [01:51] | Breaking news: Mike Tomlin steps down | | [11:09] | Introduction of Robert Mays and first reactions | | [12:07] | Was it time for Tomlin to go? Reset vs. rebuild | | [13:06]-[13:58] | Leading candidates and direction for Steelers’ hire | | [15:00]-[17:28] | Giants' needs, matching coaches to teams, impact of coaching market | | [19:23] | Why there are so many openings and the new head-coach market philosophy | | [23:08]-[24:54] | What should Tomlin do next? The precedent of Sean Payton, value of a sabbatical | | [26:40]-[27:37] | Any more openings coming? Eagles, Bills, trend-watching | | [29:09] | How fast one coach can change a franchise’s perception | | [34:16] | Steelers ownership releases statement and legacy appraisal of Tomlin | | [36:34]-[41:45] | Ranking attractiveness of current vacancies, deeper dive into Steelers' challenges |

Final Thoughts

• The Steelers’ job is now a high-profile, but less-than-ideal landing spot compared to years past, chiefly due to the lack of an answer at quarterback and an aging, costly defense.
• Tomlin’s legacy is secure—Hall of Fame credentials, unmatched stability, and a place as the ultimate culture-builder.
• NFL head-coach market is shifting rapidly: owners want quick turnarounds, proven leaders, and—more than ever—the right quarterback in place.
• Tomlin’s next steps will be watched league-wide, with the consensus being that his story as a head coach isn’t over.

(Summary by segment, reflecting Colin Cowherd's candid, incisive tone and the analytical depth of Robert Mays.)