Mike Tomlin Playing 4D Chess

Mike Tomlin is playing 4D chess with the NFL.

This is not about whether or not I like Tomlin…

It’s about the game within the game. A game that Tomlin is playing very well.

Mike Florio has reported several times that Tomlin will:

“Make a decision about his future with his family” after the Steelers season ends…

I’ve tried to come up with reasons why the story leaked, but only 1 makes sense…

The last thing a Head Coach wants is a distraction before a massive playoff game.

Reports like this (from respected outlets) are rarely conjecture.

Florio has sources, which is another way of saying - someone is trying to gain an edge by leaking information to him.

Who stands to gain from this info becoming public?

Do the Steelers? Probably not. It’s a distraction before a huge playoff game.

Does Tomlin? On the surface, no…

He definitely stands to benefit from snapping his playoff win drought, but we have to dig a little deeper.

Tomlin hasn’t denied the report and there are currently 7 head coaching jobs available.

ATL, WAS, LV, SEA, LAC, TEN, & CAR…

If Tomlin decides to move on from Pittsburgh, he’ll want options.

Not just because he wants to pick a city/roster - because he wants leverage.

Remember when Jon Gruden got a 10-year $100 million deal from the Raiders?

An even bigger deal might be coming Tomlin’s way…

Desperate franchises like Washington, Vegas, or the Chargers would be very interested in Tomlin.

Tomlin and his agent would prefer a bidding war and the only way to get there is by keeping his potential landing spots open…

Leaking this information to Florio has worked.

Only New England has hired a new coach.

Tomlin has effectively forced these desperate franchises into pausing their hiring process until the Steelers season is over.

- FMS

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Last Night’s Results

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Note:

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