With one year left on his contract, there’s one sentiment inside the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, including some among coaches that have believed for months now that head coach Mike Tomlin is ready for the next chapter in his coaching career. Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers storming back from a 10-15% chance three weeks ago of making the playoffs to now making the post-season, Mike Tomlin’s future continues to be fueled by top NFL insiders with Tomlin’s close friend Jay Glazer basically calling it 50-50 whether Tomlin moves on or not and ESPN’s Adam Schefter this past Sunday laying out the possibility of Tomlin making the call to step away. What’s legit is Mike Tomlin’s inner circle is doing nothing to kill the chatter.

Intending to go against his minority owners who have been salivating at the buzz of Tomlin walking away, Steelers Majority Owner Art Rooney II is fully prepared to offer Tomlin a lucrative extension this off-season and we’re not talking a 2-3 year [hide] term. Word is Rooney & Co believe if Tomlin decides to stay, he covets a 4–5-year extension near a $15 million a year price tag. The Chargers rumors are obviously out there as his wife seeks to move to a big city to progress her fashion career, while Washington with big money owners have always made many connect Tomlin/Washington due to Tomlin’s hometown roots. Buzz inside the Steelers building, though, is a sleeper team in a potential Tomlin decision, is none other than the Las Vegas Raiders. There’s a belief Raiders owner Mark Davis hopes to make two big swings before making a decision on Antonio Pierce and the two names being buzzed about through back channels are Jim Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin. And it’s being floated to those camps that Davis could come in with offers of around $18-$20 million per season if either entertain the possibility. [/hide]