Steelers Now
In a recent article, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN provided some in-depth information on Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s contract situation.
Sources that Fowler talked with strongly indicated that an extension is looming for Tomlin.
“Tomlin’s contract runs through 2026 with an option for 2027, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported,” Fowler wrote. “Some of Tomlin’s past deals have included an option, which is somewhat common in the NFL. Typically, the team has picked them up. They could do the same this offseason. But one source predicted, ‘If they don’t, and Tomlin has success in 2026, the team would most likely extend him.'”
“Otherwise, not much has changed with the dynamics around his future, about which both sides will inevitably discuss at some point in the offseason. I was reminded by multiple people that Tomlin is fiercely loyal to Pittsburgh as a city and organization. I would be at least mildly surprised if he realistically entertained being anywhere else. And the Steelers have redirected the season with wins over the Ravens and Dolphins, forcing a clear path to the playoffs (win in Week 18 over Baltimore, and the Steelers are in).”
During the embarrassing Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills, “Fire Tomlin” chants erupted from the crowd. One source told Fowler that the organization pays no mind to the outside noise regarding Tomlin.
“There’s no panic in the building,” a source said. “That’s how weeks like [Week 14] pay off. The people there [including team president Art Rooney II] aren’t on social media. It’s business-like there. Mike identifies what the problem is and he digs into the film with his staff to fix it. It’s really that simple.”
Tomlin has quieted the angst among Steelers fans with two straight wins. But the roars will come back if the Steelers miss the playoffs or if they fail to win a playoff game for the ninth consecutive season.
“In general, I agree with them, from this perspective: Football is our game, we’re in a sport entertainment business,” Tomlin said during his press conference on Dec. 2 when asked about fans calling for his firing. “And so if you root for the Steelers, entertaining them is winning. And so when you’re not winning, it’s not entertaining.”
“If you’ve been in this business, you understand that, and so I respect it. I share frustrations, I understand what makes this thing go, and winning is what makes this thing go.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider Reveals In-Depth Info on Mike Tomlin’s Future with Steelers
