Giants HC John Harbaugh credits Mike Tomlin for this about Steelers

Shortly after the Baltimore Ravens surprisingly fired longtime head coach John Harbaugh in January, then-Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin noted during an interview that he had "so much respect for" Harbaugh. 

Tomlin later stepped down as Steelers head coach after spending 19 seasons in the role, while Harbaugh is essentially running football operations for the New York Giants as their new head coach. While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Harbaugh had an opportunity to reflect on having Tomlin as a divisional rival from 2008 through Week 18 of the 2025 season.

John Harbaugh credits Mike Tomlin for bolstering the Steelers' reputation

"Nothing but respect and admiration for what he’s done," Harbaugh said about Tomlin, per Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated. "I feel honored to be a part of that. The thing about Mike, the thing that makes him such a great coach, is you knew what to expect from his teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the Pittsburgh Steelers because they’re in Pittsburgh, or because they wear black and gold, or because they have a nickname that’s tough and 'steely,' or because of anything other than the personality of the people running the program. Mike has been the face of that organization."

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously shared that Tomlin and Harbaugh faced each other 44 times from 2008 through this past campaign. The Steelers went 23–17 in the regular-season matchups, while both teams won two of four playoff games. 

Unlike Harbaugh, Tomlin did not actively pursue other coaching opportunities this winter. Multiple in-the-know individuals have suggested that Tomlin is "done" as an NFL head coach on a full-time basis. 

John Harbaugh will seemingly always admire Mike Tomlin

"That team reflects Mike Tomlin," Harbaugh added about the Steelers. "...I got to be across from Mike Tomlin for 18 years in some heated battles. You always knew what you were gonna get because it was a Mike Tomlin-coached football team, and I admire that very much."

Perhaps Tomlin will ultimately decide he only needed a season away from the league to recharge his batteries before he looks to resume his coaching career. For what it's worth, some believe the Philadelphia Eagles could be in the market for a new head coach in January 2027.