Why Steelers will have to trade Mike Tomlin if he wants to coach for another NFL team

Mike Tomlin voluntarily ended his 19-season run as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach on Tuesday. Tomlin made the decision after what he described in a statement as "much thought and reflection."

He decided to step down. The Steelers didn't fire him.

That distinction's important.

Tomlin, 53, has two years remaining on his contract, meaning the Steelers will retain his coaching rights since he resigned. If Tomlin wants to coach for another NFL team before the end of the 2027 season, Pittsburgh will have to trade him.

In exchange, the Steelers could receive compensation, similar to the way the Denver Broncos had to compensate the New Orleans when they hired Sean Payton as head coach ahead of the 2023 season.

At the time, the Saints dealt Payton and their 2024 third-round pick for the Broncos' 2023 first-round pick and 2024 second-round pick.

This story is being updated.