The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the more frustrating teams to be a fan of in the NFL over the last several seasons. The organization has not had a losing season in quite some time, which is well known, but it also hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. The lack of postseason success has the fan base extremely frustrated, and a large portion wants to see the organization move on from Head Coach Mike Tomlin. It has been made clear that this won't happen, but significant changes need to be made.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin and Russell Wilson on the sideline during a game against the New York Jets in 2024.
Tomlin isn't going anywhere, although many fans have been calling for his job after ending the 2024 season on a five-game losing streak. He has been one of the best regular season coaches in the league, but he has only won a playoff game in four of his 18 seasons as a head coach, which just isn't good enough. The 2024 season would have been the last year on Tomlin's contract, but he signed a three-year extension during the 2024 offseason. Details of coach's contracts aren't normally released to the public, but team insider Gerry Dulac revealed the contract's value on The Rich Eisen Show.
"The Steelers have no plans to move on from Mike Tomlin," Dulac said. "Look, they gave him a three-year, $50 million extension in June, and they're not just gonna walk away from that. That was just another indication that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers will part ways only when Mike Tomlin wants to."
A lot of details about Tomlin's contract have been revealed lately. Fans knew it was a three-year extension, but it was also recently revealed that the coach has a no-trade clause in his deal. He would need to approve any potential trade involving him, which gives him a ton of power. Coach's contracts are also normally fully guaranteed, so the Steelers would face a significant financial hit if the organization decided to move on from Tomlin at this juncture.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mike Tomlin prior to a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2024 season.
If the Steelers ever wanted to fire Tomlin while he is under contract, the organization would still need to pay him for the length and dollar amount of his deal. Kliff Kingsbury is the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, as he is getting paid for his current job while also still receiving checks from the Arizona Cardinals from the time that he was their head coach, but got fired. Arizona is currently paying Kingsbury, as well as their current head coach, Jonathan Gannon.
This is a situation the Steelers want to avoid. Apart from the financial reasonings, the Steelers are also a loyal organization. There is a reason there have only been three head coaches in Pittsburgh since 1969. There are always high expectations for the Steelers, and the team hasn't come close to meeting them lately. Tomlin has never had a losing season, and the Steelers don't feel firing him is worth it.
AP Photo / Orlin Wagner
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid embrace one another on the field prior to a professional football game in Kansas City.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is One Of The Highest Paid Coaches In The NFL
If Tomlin did in fact sign a three-year, $50 million deal, he should be bringing in an average of $16.67 million per year. This would make him the third highest-paid coach in the NFL, and it puts him in the top five of all coaches in America according to Sportico. Most Steelers fans probably don't like to hear this, but he is one of the most consistent coaches in all of sports.
Coaching a full 18 seasons and never once having a losing season is impressive. Tomlin only has one Super Bowl ring to show for it, but that doesn't change the fact that he is the model of consistency when it comes to coaching.
What do you think about the Steelers having no chance to fire Tomlin? Let us know in the comments below!
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