The NFL rumor mill is churning with a tantalizing possibility: Mike Tomlin and Lamar Jackson, two of the league's most respected figures, could join forces in 2027. While it might sound like a fan's fantasy, the chatter is gaining momentum, and the New York Jets are reportedly at the center of it.
According to Jason La Canfora, the Jets are already laying the groundwork to pursue Tomlin for the 2027 season, even though he hasn't committed to coaching again. The franchise's owner, Woody Johnson, is said to be doing his homework on Tomlin, whose résumé — a 193-114-2 record, 13 playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl ring — makes him an irresistible target for a team desperate for stability.
“Woody is starting to ask a lot of questions; he’s doing his homework on Tomlin,” an executive told La Canfora. “This one has legs. I’m telling you. Mike is in New York at Rockefeller Center for NBC, Woody is back in charge at the facility, and he knows how steep the competition will be. You are going to hear a lot about the Jets.”
If Tomlin does land in New York, the ripple effect could be enormous. La Canfora suggests that Tomlin's presence might open the door for a trade for Jackson. The Jets boast premium draft capital, including three first-round picks, and Jackson's deep mutual respect for Tomlin, forged through years of AFC North battles, makes the pairing seem almost natural. New York's defensive core could provide an immediate foundation for a contender.
“If Tomlin takes the reins in New York, where the Jets boast premium draft capital—including three first-round selections—there is a belief Jackson would strongly evaluate the destination. The pair share a deep mutual respect built over years of AFC North battles, and New York’s defensive core provides an immediate foundation for a contender,” La Canfora added. “Combined with Johnson’s history of pursuing marquee names and Tomlin’s preference for veteran quarterbacks, the alignment is clear.”
Jackson's current contract with the Ravens runs through the 2027 season, and Baltimore has repeatedly expressed a desire to keep their two-time MVP. Owner Steve Bisciotti has indicated a willingness to extend Jackson's deal, mirroring the structure of his 2023 contract but with a higher annual salary.
“We want another window, and Lamar knows that. I think he is amenable to doing something that mirrors the last deal that he did, although the annual number will be a little higher. But I’m hoping that it’s plug in your number in the same contract he signed [in 2023] and move on,” Bisciotti said earlier this year.
Despite those assurances, the lack of long-term security for a player of Jackson's caliber is unusual, and it keeps the trade speculation alive. Fans and analysts alike have already weighed in, with many dismissing the Tomlin-Jackson Jets dream as pure fantasy. Yet, the possibility persists.
Tomlin himself has dropped hints about a return, saying, 'Ask me in six months' when pressed on his future. And with the Jets reportedly eyeing Tomlin for a 2027 vacancy, the pieces seem to be aligning.
For now, it's all speculation. But in the NFL, where the unexpected becomes reality, the idea of Tomlin and Jackson teaming up in New York is a storyline that won't go away. As the 2027 season approaches, keep an eye on the Big Apple — it might just become the epicenter of a seismic shift in the league.
