Adam Schefter details key factors impacting Mike Tomlin's future with Pittsburgh Steelers

Head coach Mike Tomlin’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers is uncertain. During an appearance on “NFL Live” on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided more details on the developing situation.

“Mike Tomlin is expected to take some time after the season ends to see whether or not he would be willing to step away from the Steelers,” Schefter said. “He’s not getting fired. He’s welcome to stay in Pittsburgh as long as he wants.

“But, people expect him to talk with his family and Arthur Rooney to see if he could conceivably take a break after this year for a year, the way that Sean Payton once did in New Orleans, where he took a break from the Saints and then wound up coaching the Broncos. There’ll be some decisions that Mike Tomlin has to make.”

Before Tomlin can consider his future, he must focus on his present. On Monday, the Steelers will face off against the Buffalo Bills at 4:30 p.m. ET in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

More on Mike Tomlin’s looming decision

Schefter isn’t the first one to report Tomlin has a massive decision ahead. Earlier this week, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio claimed Tomlin has traditionally taken a brief pause after each season to assess where he is in his career and what’s coming next. However, the decision could carry extra weight this year.

“I’m told he’s going to step back after the season ends, make a decision about his future with his family. He loves the team. He loves the young players that they have there. But, after the season, he’ll huddle with his family and make a decision about his future with the Steelers,” Florio said during the halftime show of the Houston Texans-Cleveland Browns Wild Card matchup.

Tomlin will also be entering the final year of his coaching contract for the first time in his coaching tenure leading the Steelers. He has never had a losing season as the head coach of the Steelers.

“And what he does every year — he’s all-in, season ends, he takes a step back, reflects on where he is and where he’s going. This year is a unique position for Mike Tomlin. For the first time ever, he’s entering the last year of his contract. Never done that before,” Florio said. “Has some things to think about.”