This time, Mike Tomlin was prepared for inquiries about contracts.
After being asked about his contract status three days after storming out of a press conference after the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Bills, Tomlin confirmed his expectation to lead the team in 2024 and gave an explanation for his actions.
I feel a little better now. Do you have any queries about contracts? To start his news conference on Thursday, Tomlin made a joke. “I think there’s a time and place for everything, and postgame press conferences are probably not the place to discuss contract matters and things of that sort. That being said, I could have handled that situation better than I did. It’s just a very personal matter, and I doubt any of us are thinking like that on game day. Of course I’m not.
With one year remaining on his contract, there had been conjecture in recent weeks over Tomlin’s potential return to the Steelers, where he has been coach since 2007.
The 51-year-old, who won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in just his second season, says he and owner Art Rooney II have an open line of communication and anticipates that a contract extension will be reached.
“I don’t think there will be a problem, and I think it will be completed on time and at the right moment,” Tomlin stated. “But I really think of myself as this football team’s coach.”
Tomlin went on to say that while he’s not concerned about when the agreement is finalized, he is looking forward to no longer having to field questions about it.
“One part of it is answering fewer questions from you guys about those things,” he remarked. To be perfectly honest with you, though, that’s probably the only level of relevance for me. Although it’s cool, security isn’t my main concern. I’ve witnessed a great deal. Although it does present less inquiries and such, I’m not afraid of my profession.
Under Tomlin, the Steelers have been competitive every season; in his 17 seasons, which have featured seven division crowns and eleven postseason berths, the team has never finished below.500.
But since Pittsburgh advanced to the AFC Championship game seven years ago, they have not won a postseason game.
