Mike Tomlin has ended speculation about his situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his season-ending press conference on Thursday, the coach shot down reports that he might take a year away from coaching in 2024. Tomlin will be entering his 18th season, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL with the same team after Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots recently parted ways following 24 years.
Tomlin’s contract expires after the 2024 season. Tomlin has never entered a season in the final year of his contract but says he is confident he and team president Art Rooney II will work things out.
“Yes, I expect to be back,” Tomlin said. “I’d imagine those contract things are going to run their course. Art and I have a really good, transparent relationship. We communicate continually. I don’t imagine it’s going to be an issue and I imagine it’s going to get done in a timely manner at the appropriate time. My mindset is to coach this football team, certainly.”
The Steelers had a rocky season that ended Monday when they lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-17 in an AFC wild-card playoff game in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Steelers’ final record was 10-8. They had to win their last three regular-season games to reach the postseason after three straight losses, including back-to-back defeats to the lowly Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots at home, dropped them to 7-7 following a 7-4 start.
