Many people were speculating about head coach Mike Tomlin’s future after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Buffalo Bills earlier this week in the wild-card stage of the playoffs. That doesn’t appear to be the case, as Tomlin said reporters on Thursday that he is prepared to face the Steelers in the Super Bowl this autumn.
“I expect to be back, and I would imagine that those contract things are going to run their course,” Tomlin told ESPN. “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.”
When questioned about his future with the Steelers at a postgame press conference, Tomlin stormed off. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it is now anticipated that the 51-year-old coach will receive a contract extension from the Steelers.
“I certainly could have handled that situation better than I did,” Tomlin said about the postgame press conference incident. “But I’ll also say this, I just believe there’s a time and place for everything and postgame press conferences are probably not the place to address contract issues and things of that nature. It’s just a very individual thing, and on game day I doubt any of us are in that mindset, Certainly, I am not.”
Tomlin’s current deal is set to expire in one year. It gave rise to some conjecture that he might take a year off from the NFL, but Tomlin stated that would not be the case. “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 is the third head coach of the Steerles since 1969, having taken them in 2007. Tomlin has guided the Steelers to 11 postseason appearances, seven AFC North championships, three AFC Championship berths, two conference victories, and one Super Bowl championship during his tenure in Pittsburgh.
