William Shakespeare wrote in "The Tempest" that, "Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows."
It's certainly not an uncommon notion in the ever-volatileNFL, either.
Baltimore Ravensowner Steve Bisciotti was in the middle of a previously scheduled news conference Tuesday afternoon to discusshis firing last week of coach John Harbaughafter 18 seasons and one Super Bowl victory. As he was answering questions about Harbaugh and looking to the future, Bisciotti was informed that Baltimore's archrival, thePittsburgh Steelers, were also in need of a new coach after Mike Tomlin, the only coach in the league with a longer tenure than Harbaugh just a week ago, haddecided to step down.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin smiles after being interviewed by NBC broadcaster Dan Patrick after Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2009. The Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 27-23, in one of the most exciting Super Bowls ever played." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mike Tomlin out in Pittsburgh: How did previous Steelers coaches fare?
A stunned Bisciotti then entertained the notion of Tomlin being a candidate to replace Harbaugh.
"Holy (expletive),"laughed Bisciotti, who's been theRavens' majority owner for more than two decades.
"Wouldn't that be awesome?! Only if John takes the Pittsburgh job. Wow, wouldn't that be interesting? I don't know − that thing last week maybe disqualified (Tomlin) from my opening."
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti on whether Mike Tomlin is a candidate for his team's head coaching vacancy:pic.twitter.com/KqXP6EoxNU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)January 13, 2026
Bisciotti was referring to the Ravens' loss to theSteelersin the final game of the 2025 regular season, an outcome that gave Pittsburgh the AFC North title and prevented Baltimore from retaining it − while ensuring the Ravens wouldn't qualify for the playoffs at all.
"Good for Mike," added Bisciotti. "I don't know. Talk to (Ravens GM Eric DeCosta). I love Mike. I've admired Mike for 18 years, and that's really shocking that he did it that way. Yes, that's kind of crazy. I didn't know that. I'll leave that to (DeCosta). Wow."
Statement from Steelers President Art Rooney II on Coach Mike Tomlin:pic.twitter.com/1g5iqKi9MN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers)January 13, 2026
Long a relative bastion of stability, the AFC North now has three open HC jobs, theCleveland Brownsalso looking for one afterfiring two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanskion Black Monday.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ravens owner has funny reaction to Mike Tomlin leaving Steelers
