The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Monday that they are officially signing Head Coach Mike Tomlin to a three-year extension, securing his position through the 2027 season. Tomlin, who began coaching the Steelers in 2007, has remarkably never had a losing season in his 17 years as an NFL head coach.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin coaching during a game.
Despite his regular season success, some Steelers fans have grown weary of Tomlin. During the 2023 season, particularly after a three-game losing streak in December, a large portion of the fan base called for his dismissal. However, in typical Tomlin fashion, he rallied the team and, with some help from other teams, managed to sneak into the playoffs.
Many Steelers fans are frustrated with consistently needing outside help to make the playoffs, only to face early exits. Tomlin's teams have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. While speculation about Tomlin being on the hot seat circulated, the national media quickly dismissed it, affirming his status as a great coach who isn't going anywhere.
The rumor mill also buzzed with suggestions that Tomlin was contemplating his future with the Steelers or even stepping away from coaching. Initially dismissed as clickbait, these reports turned out to have substance. Mike Florio revealed on Pro Football Talk that Tomlin was indeed seriously considering his options.
"This is something that was toward the end of the season as the Steelers were struggling and their offense was cr*p. It was very real that Tomlin was considering options both now and after this season because he was only under contract for one more year. And for the first time in his tenure as Steelers head coach, he was entering into what would've been lame-duck season, and it gave him the ability to think differently than he ever has."
It seemed unlikely that Tomlin would leave the team where he has built such a strong resume on his own terms. However, Florio reported that it was indeed a very real possibility.
“He has always been under contract for at least two years, so he had in view. 'I got one more year and I could do something that we never see.' We rarely see coaches in the NFL become free agents. Coaches never want to roll the dice on themselves. They never want to give up the seat they have.”
Tomlin has always said he doesn't run away from adversity; he runs toward it. If he had been one of the rare coaches to take a gamble on himself, it would have made some sense. However, Tomlin's love for the Steelers organization, and their mutual respect for him, made it seem unlikely he was going anywhere.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin speaks to members of the media during OTA's.
Steelers Fans Are Split On Mike Tomlin
The decision to extend his contract will undoubtedly upset some Steelers fans who have recently grown unhappy with his performance. Tomlin's playoff drought has been frustrating, but the Steelers are poised to end it in 2024. If they don't, fans' frustration with Tomlin will only intensify.
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Pittsburgh Steelers fans sit with sad faces as the outcome of a game went in the opposite favor.
With playmakers on every side of the ball, including special teams, this Steelers team has serious potential. Tomlin will be tested mightily in 2024 with one of the hardest schedules in the league.
Now is the time for Tomlin to lead his team back into Super Bowl contention. As wild as it sounds, there is no reason the Steelers shouldn't be contenders in 2024. They have a dominant defense, a new offense perfectly suited to their personnel, and a special teams unit filled with playmakers. The question remains: can Tomlin silence his detractors in 2024 and lead the Steelers back to glory?
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