BREAKING: Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin , the head coach, is not going anywhere.
Pittsburgh Mike Tomlin will always be around.
When asked about his future during a postgame news conference a few days ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach stated that his desire to stay in the position has “intensified” and that he anticipates receiving a contract extension this offseason.
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“I anticipate returning, and I assume those contractual matters will conclude,” Tomlin stated on Thursday during his final-season press conference. “My relationship with Art [Rooney II] is incredibly good and open. We talk all the time. My perspective is to coach his football team, so I don’t think there will be any problems and I think everything will be finished on time.”
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was later informed by Rooney that the team “plans to extend Mike’s contract.”
During the last question of the press conference following the Buffalo Bills wild-card loss, Tomlin also gave an explanation for his walk-off and admitted that he didn’t manage it well.
“I certainly could have handled that situation better than I did,” stated Tomlin. “But let me also say this: I think everything has its proper time and place, and post-game press conferences are perhaps not the best venue to discuss contract disputes and other such matters. It’s just a very personal matter, and I don’t think any of us are thinking that way on game day—certainly not me.”
Tomlin committed to the team until the 2024 season when he inked a three-year contract extension in 2021. When asked whether he had informed anyone that he had pondered taking a sabbatical, Tomlin laughed and replied simply, “no.” Late in the season, there was conjecture from the outside that the coach might think about taking a year off following the 2023 campaign.
“I understand speculation is a component of what it is that we do,” Tomlin stated. “I try not to let it consume me or divert my attention, especially when it is not where I am. That’s how I’ve been thinking about it.
Tomlin, who will soon begin his 18th season as head coach of the Steelers, stated that his method for assessing his future hasn’t altered at the conclusion of each campaign.
“My job is to coach football,” Tomlin declared. “I take pride in the position I occupy. In terms of what I do, I don’t feel entitled. I believe that’s just my thinking, but I just gained a high degree of respect for what we all do in this space, and I strive to earn it every day.
“I don’t think about many things. Every day I try to work with eagerness and I try to be grateful for things, and I don’t think that has changed. It most likely hasn’t, in my opinion. I never stop moving.”
Even though the Steelers haven’t won a postseason game since 2016, he still feels he’s the best guy to lead them because of his experience and “go” mentality.
He gave the explanation, “Fifty-one years of life,” as to why he is the ideal candidate. “I suppose I already stated that, even if I’m frustrated because I want that confetti for this group, I’m not lacking faith in my ability to complete the task.
“And so whatever we got to do to do it, whatever changes need to be made, I’m open to it.”
Tomlin downplayed the urgency and significance of the timing to get it done, even if he admitted that this time around there is importance to the extension because of the security it would provide to contenders for the open offensive coordinator post.
That is part of it, Tomlin stated. “To be pretty honest with you, answering less of your questions about those things is part of it, but that’s probably the only level of importance for me; security is cool, but it’s not a major priority for me.
“I’ve witnessed a great deal. Although it does not scare me from my profession, it does supply fewer queries and similar things.”
Tomlin announced on Thursday that he plans to bring in an outside candidate to take over as offensive coordinator. This means that Mike Sullivan and Eddie Faulkner, who shared the coordinator responsibilities following Matt Canada’s in-season firing, won’t be returning to their positions the next year.
Tomlin stated, “I want us to be dynamic and versatile,” when he described his ideal offensive coordinator. “We must, of course, score more points. My goal is to be able to deceive defenders. I want to make the most of every talent we possess. The talent pool and this process have me thrilled.”
The starting quarterback for the 2024 season is already on staff, according to Tomlin, despite his intention to hire an offensive coordinator from outside the company. While acknowledging that Dude,  Kenny Pickett will face competition, he pledged that Pickett would once again start at the top of the lineup.
“This thing is always competitive,” Tomlin remarked. “we don’t anoint anyone. Though I’m grateful for his efforts and where he is, and I’m looking forward to working with him going future, he will undoubtedly face competition going forward. We are all at our finest when we compete.”
Mason Rudolph, the quarterback, is scheduled to become a free agency after four starts at the end of the season, although Tomlin has stated that he would like to have him return.
“I cannot underscore how impressive it is to be ready — forget performance man — to be ready to deliver, and he was,” Rudolph, according to Tomlin. “And that preparedness showed, and so certainly we are less speculative about his capabilities because there’s evidence of it, evidence of it in tough circumstances.”
