Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Confident His Contract Will Be Renewed Now That He Is Back For 2024

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin's future was a big potential question mark after all kinds of national media speculation that Tomlin was considering taking a year off. His status was further questioned when a reporter asked about only a year left on his contract at a postgame press conference after the Steelers' 31-17 AFC Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills. At his year-end press conference on Thursday, Tomlin addressed the reports confirming he'd be back and got into the talk about his contract. 

The veteran coach opened his final meeting with the media for the 2023 season with a joke that he was in a better mood to talk about his contract. He briefly addressed his walkout after the question on Monday night, saying that he didn't think a postgame press conference was the time or place to address his contract status. He doesn't think there will be any problems getting a new deal done. 

"I expect to be back, and I’d imagine that those contact things are going to run their course. Art [Rooney II] and I have a really good transparent relationship. I don’t imagine it’s going to be an issue, and I imagine it’s going to get done in appropriate manner at the appropriate time." 

Tomlin was asked if his attitude has changed over the years on how he evaluated whether he'll come back after each season. He said he doesn't think his philosophy has changed when it comes to that at all. 

"My mindset is to coach this football team, certainly," he said. "I coach football. That’s what I do. I’m respectful of the position I hold. I have no sense of entitlement in terms of what I do. I have a high level of respect for what we all do in this space. I try to earn it daily. I'm always on go."

Tomlin becomes the longest-tenured coach in the league after Bill Belichick departed from the New England Patriots earlier this month. Tomlin sits second on the Steelers' all-time coaching wins list, still needing 20 more to catch the late great Chuck Noll. Tomlin probably already has a spot in the Steelers Ring of Honor locked up and might have a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He'll likely get a chance to continue building on that resume. 

Steelers' Tomlin Not "Job Scared" 

Tomlin said his intensity for the job has gotten stronger each year as he gains more knowledge and experience. With that, he's not afraid of the challenges that lay in front of him as the team moves towards the 2024 season. 

He said he doesn't worry about his job. As long as the key card will let him in the door of the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and Acrisure Stadium, he's a happy man. 

"Security is cool, but it's not a top priority for me. I've seen a lot. I'm not job scared. It does provide less questions and things of that nature, certainly." 

Tomlin isn't worried about when the extension gets done because he's almost certain that he and Steelers Team President Art Rooney II will be able to sit down and figure it out. So, Pittsburgh will move forward with the only coach that many of the players in the organization have ever known. Superstar pass-rusher TJ Watt was adamant in his defense of Tomlin coming back. He said that during his contract negotiations, continuing to play for Coach Tomlin was a significant factor in him wanting to ink a long-term deal. 

While Tomlin has his flaws, he has still been to the playoffs in 11 of 17 seasons and has never had a below .500 record. The lack of recent playoff success is often a detractor, but it can be argued that's better than not making the dance at all. 

What did you think of Tomlin's comments on his contract? Are you happy to see him back? Comment below!

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