Steelers will be entitled to compensation, whenever Mike Tomlin coaches again

Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, if he chooses to return to NFL coaching, will require any interested team to negotiate with the Steelers due to his remaining contract. The Steelers hold his rights and would seek compensation from any team wishing to hire him. As time progresses, the price for this compensation is expected to decrease. The situation is similar to past instances where coaches like Sean Payton and Bruce Arians required teams to compensate their former teams before taking new positions. The Steelers' control contrasts with situations like that of John Harbaugh, who was free to sign elsewhere without compensation after being fired. Teams interested in Tomlin must first secure an agreement with the Steelers before even contacting him.