The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Monday that they would be signing Mike Tomlin to a three-year extension, extending his tenure through the 2027 season. This ensures Tomlin remains the Steelers' head coach for the foreseeable future. Renowned as one of the greatest coaches in the league, and arguably of all-time, Tomlin boasts an impressive resume.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin throws the red challenge flag on the field.
Despite his accolades, fans have grown weary of just regular season victories. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Remarkably, Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 17 years as an NFL head coach. He has led the Steelers to seven AFC North titles and two Super Bowl appearances, winning one and losing the other. Additionally, he has guided the team to 11 playoff trips.
The issue for Steeler Nation is that they crave Super Bowls, not just winning seasons. Recently, the Steelers have not been strong contenders, prompting fans to call for the end of the Tomlin era. One of his staunchest supporters, Rich Eisen, reacted to the news of Tomlin's extension on his show on Monday.
“If Mike Tomlin didn’t get this three-year contract extension, he would be somebody else's coach within five minutes. I’m telling you all, he is one of the best in the business. Players love playing for him.”
The national media has consistently claimed that Tomlin would be quickly hired by another team if he were ever let go. This sentiment has never resonated well with Tomlin's detractors, who argue that such speculation is not a valid reason to retain a head coach. However, Eisen believes that the Steelers organization made a smart decision in keeping Tomlin.
"I think he's one of the best. You could do a whole lot worse if you want to use the other flip side of it. There's a lot to be said for continuity. I love it. I do love it. And I know this is gonna get aggregated by a whole ton of Pittsburgh blogging spots and what have you."
Eisen sent one final message to the Steelers fans who are not happy with Tomlin in staying in town.
"All I would say is the following to a Steeler fan that has this issue. Let's just say you get your wish and the Steelers say no to Mike Tomlin. You're not getting a contract extension. We're gonna go all-in, like the Cowboys on Mike McCarthy, right? That if you don't win this year, it's over. Who would you prefer to have? You wanna go get that hot coordinator? Is that what you want to do? Or [Bill] Belichick? Do you think Belichick and the Steelers, that's a marriage? When he's only got potentially one contract left in him."
Tomlin's resume of never having a losing season speaks for itself. In the regular season, he has a record of 173-100-2, and in the playoffs, he is 8-10. Critics argue that his influence has waned recently, but many of his current players disagree.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin talks about a taunting penalty with wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
Steelers' TJ Watt Backed Mike Tomlin
One of the best players in the NFL, and the Steelers' standout, T.J. Watt, even stated that he wouldn't want to play for any other head coach but Tomlin. This high praise from a star player underscores Tomlin's popularity among players in the league. Many of the players in the NFL have voiced their high praise of Tomlin and wanting to play for him.
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Steelers' TJ Watt talks with Mike Tomlin during a regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.
He is renowned as a great leader of men. In 2024, the pressure is on Tomlin to silence his critics and lead the Steelers back to glory. His 2024 roster is one of the strongest he has had in recent years, raising expectations. The question remains: can Tomlin deliver?
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