Mike Tomlin’s Steelers reign isn’t coming to an end any time soon.
On Monday, the team announced it gave the longtime coach a three-year extension to stick in Pittsburgh, keeping him on with the franchise through the 2027 season.
“Mike Tomlin’s leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II via a press release. “Extending Tomlin’s contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success.”
It is not yet clear how much Tomlin snagged from the Steelers in terms of dollars, but it is likely a lucrative extension.
Tomlin will enter the 2024 NFL season as his 18th with the Steelers and as the longest-tenured head coach in the league.
His teams have made the playoffs in 11 of those seasons, won seven division titles, three AFC Championship games, and made two Super Bowl appearances, winning it all in 2008.
“I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh,” said Tomlin. “We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s seventh Lombardi Trophy.
“I am very excited to get the 2024 season underway and provide our fans with a memorable year.”
There was some uncertainty leading up to this announcement, namely Tomlin entering his contract year with the Steelers.
Tomlin also fielded a question about the USC head coaching position around Halloween 2021, but that wound up being more trick than treat, as Tomlin said, “Never say never, but never. There’s not a booster with a big enough blank check.’’
Tomlin also angrily stormed off the stage during a postgame press conference after a 31-17 Wild Card loss to the Bills last year.
“Mike, you have a year left on your contract,” a reporter began asking before Tomlin promptly exited stage left.
There were some rumblings that the 2023 season would be his last with the team.
Those appear to have been fruitless, though.
Tomlin extended his NFL record for consecutive non-losing seasons to start a career with 17.
He ushers in his new contract with a Russell Wilson-Justin Fields quarterback battle for the starting job.
Credit: Source link
