Mike Tomlin‘s Steelers tenure will continue for the foreseeable future. The team announced on Monday that their Super Bowl-winning head coach has signed a three-year extension.
As a result of this move, the 52-year-old is under contract through the 2027 campaign. He enters the coming season as the league’s longest-tenured head coach, having been at the helm of the Steelers for the past 17 years. That stretch has yet to feature a losing season, although it also encompasses a notable drought for postseason success. Considering owner Art Rooney II‘s comments in January, however, this move comes as no surprise.
Tomlin’s future has faced questions recently, with speculation swirling in the winter about the possibility of taking a year off from coaching before returning to an NFL sideline. Not long after Pittsburgh’s wild-card elimination, though, Tomlin confirmed he would remain in place for 2024. Per tradition in his case, he will not enter a lame duck situation, instead moving forward with considerable term on his deal once again.
“Mike Tomlin’s leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach,” a statement from Rooney reads. “Extending his 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.”
The Steelers won the Super Bowl during Tomlin’s second year at the helm, returning to the title game two years later. The team has posted double-digit wins during the regular season seven times since then, but translating that into a deep playoff run has proven to be challenging. Pittsburgh last won a postseason contest in 2016, enduring a five-game losing streak which includes this year’s loss to the Bills.
The 2024 offseason has seen plenty of changes for the Steelers, including the arrival of a new offensive coordinator (Arthur Smith). Tomlin drew criticism for the length of Matt Canada’s tenure in that role, but Smith’s arrival is expected to produce an upgrade in rushing success. Pittsburgh’s offense will also feature new faces along the O-line and, of course, a much different looking quarterbacks room than 2023. How Tomin handles the playing time of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will be a key 2024 storyline for the team.
Tomlin sits in a tie for 12th on the NFL’s all-time wins list with 173. If he remains in place through the length of this new pact, he will continue to climb the ranks in that regard while also remaining in Pittsburgh for 21 seasons. That would place him two years shy of Chuck Noll‘s all-time franchise record.
“I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin said in a statement. “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.”
Class guy
My Bears should have made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Bears: “Hey Mikey, come coach for us and you’ll never have to worry about Trubisky being your QB again”.
What a terrible deal. This guy hasn’t done a single thing in almost a decade.
The low standard is the standard I guess.
Never had a losing season despite having a franchise quarterback go over the hill and get replaced with total mediocrities. I’d say his standards are pretty damn high.
I agree Oooof, but there needs be a deep playoff run or two in the next three years because Khan has recruited very well and the naysayers are right in saying Tomlin’s recent record is mediocre despite the streak.
Pickett wasn’t the answer. Ben’s last years was with a battered offensive line, and now that they’ve addressed that plus the QB position, we should see an uptick up. I hope.
Do winning seasons win titles? Post season wins do and he hasn’t won a playoff game in almost a decade.
The losing seasons point is a great accolade, but he is 0 and 4 in the playoffs over the last 7 years and missed the playoffs 3 of those years.
Mike Tomlin is the Doc Rivers of football.
With the rotting remains of Ben Roethlisberger followed by even worse quarterback options. Most teams are doing worse at coach. Odds are his replacement would be worse. Get the man an actual quarterback instead of someone else’s castoff or an old college kid who happened to already play in the building.
So if he fails this year to make or win a playoff game will it be the QBs fault already whether that be Russ or Fields? Already making excuses for this man’s inability to win a playoff game and we haven’t even had a snap yet.
Sorry for including context in my judgement of a coach? I do think he at least has better castoffs to work with this year.
Because Tomlin definitely throws the ball, runs the ball, catches the ball, blocks for the QB, plays defense, AND special teams? Man what a guy. Anyone who does all that and costs his team so many games must really be like an alien!
Almost like ANY head coach matters. The players play the dang game. It’s no one’s fault but theirs for losing in the playoffs year after year.
That’s how they operate, “Tomlin didn’t lose that game, his players let him down”. Excuses, excuses, excuses…
I generally think most coaches are somewhere in the middle, regardless of the professional sport. Average. The ones who are exemplary are few while the ones in over their heads quickly demonstrate their limitations.
Given what the Steelers have had in terms of personnel the past few years, from a rickety Roethlisberger to Pickett, a poor O-line and porous D-line, it’s hard to imagine any coach doing better
I guess the question comes down to how much Tomlin has had in signings, drafts and coaching hires. In this regard, Khan and Weidl seem to have upgraded greatly in their short time here, save for a big time receiver
I’m looking forward to this coming season and would hope Tomlin can get the most out of this group.
You would’ve hated that Shula scrub Miami had seemingly forever
Agreed. Here’s to 3 more seasons at least of no Super Bowl wins, while Tomlin rah rah fanboys tout his “never had a losing season” and blame anybody but Tomlin for not winning another Super Bowl.
A whopping 5 coaches have won the Super Bowl in the last 10 years, and 8 of those 10 Super Bowls were won by teams that had Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Patrick Mahomes, possibly the three greatest quarterbacks of all time. So yeah, I think it’s fair to include the QB situation in your assessment of a coach’s ability to make a deep playoff run.
I guess the only coach who should be employed in the NFL is Andy MaKelce-Swift
The way people on this thread are talking about Tomlin reminds me of the way Eagles fans used to talk about Reid near the end.
So 19 teams were above .500 last year. If not having a losing season is the bar, enjoy teeing off from the women’s tee.
If tomlin loses two games more last year the Steelers are where the packers were when they fired McCarthy except the Packers made the tough call.
Tomlin is an excellent coach, but his time in Pittsburgh is done. He would be successful elsewhere and that I have no doubt. He is too familiar in Pittsburgh right now and it shows.
McCarthy and Tomlin are a very close parallel. McCarthy won early was great on offense then got stale and wouldn’t adapt.
Tomlin won early was great on defense and won’t adapt.
I get that after a while, players tune out coaches who’ve been at the helm for a long period. And I especially understand how today’s athletes are harder to “reach”
From all accounts, Tomlin still is a communicator, that is, unless former Steelers are lying
I’m not a fan of Tomlin nor am I a detractor. I’m more disappointed by the players they’ve drafted and signed over the past 5 years, especially pre-Kahn. And most pointedly, I’m disappointed that Tomlin no longer feels the need for a LeBeau, Aryans, Whisenhunt, Munchak or Haley on staff
I dunno. I always thought having other opinions from staff with backgrounds is a positive and not someone who should be shown the door. If there’s a critique I have, that’s it
I don’t think McCarthy was ever a great coach. I think he hit the quarterback lottery repeatedly.
I get the idea that Tomlin might be too familiar, but he’s also kept the Steelers above water while the team has had to completely rebuild their offensive line, linebacker group, receiver group, and cornerback group, all in addition to being in the quarterback wilderness. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that. This has also all happened while playing in a very, very competitive division.
They should have replaced Canada much earlier, but they do have a much better offensive coordinator now. With a new OC, a new offensive line, and at least a change of faces at QB, I’m curious to see how things look.
HE should have never hired Canada or Fichtner either for that matter.
Tomlin was best when he had really big name assistant coaches on his staff to help him.
Tomlin can’t keep getting passes for not making it work on the field with talent. The lack of post season success with Ben, Brown, and Bell is really glaring in my opinion.
I see the Reid comparison, kind of but Andy also lucked into a generational talent at QB that carried him to his current success. I won’t forget him struggling with the Eagles year after year to get over the hump and when the TO issues came about he crumbled and couldn’t manage that locker room accordingly.
Tomlin with that WR and CB group right now and what I think will be a 4th new starting QB in 4 years is in a bad spot and to reward him for no real production in nearly a decade is foolish.
A 1 year extension to cover next year may have been the better option but 3 years when you haven’t won a playoff game in almost 10 is the definition of paying for past performance.
Youth is wasted on the young.
The Oooof has it bass-ackwards. Starf@*kers worship Brady et. al. with phrases that belong on the Banished Words List.
The Cheatriots were hated in their day for good reason. These days the Kansas City Criminals have seized the “Most Hated” throne.
Chucky, I truly can’t even tell what you’re claiming I said here.
Chucky is a very jealous and bitter person who’s better left ignored
What are you mumbling over and over? The Patriots got you all flustered.
They’re committed to mediocrity.
Which is why they are the leader in Super Bowl wins. The guy has won two out of three. That more than what most teams can say in the past 17 years. Jets fans would kill for that.
He has only won one out of 2 appearances. Also they are tied with the Patriots for most wins, both with 6.
Pats have 6…you suck at math
This feels like a great precursor to the upcoming election where no matter how bright a picture we try and paint, we’re just left for disappointment and more of the same.
Don’t mind the haters here, what this guy has done in the sandpit of Heinz field and with absolute garbage under center is Canton worthy. He will 100% be in the HOF and if he decides to Belichick or Shula and be around forever, he will challenge for the all time wins record.
Don’t act like Mike doesn’t have say on his roster. His choices for QB’s and many other players.
Tomlin wanted Malik Willis. It was well known. Still the wrong call. But Pickett was Colbert and Rooneys decision to make good on the miss of Marino. Except Pickett was closer to peterman level of talent..
I think Mike would have moved on from Big Ben much sooner if it was entirely his call. He was stuck with a fat, out of shape duck thrower for at least 2 years longer, taking up precious cap space and don’t forget how Ben cried foul when the Steelers allowed Mike and the team to move on. They missed out on plenty of QB talent options letting Ben hang on too long, which led to the Pickett disaster.
Put another way, if Chase Claypool gets cut for complaining about locker room music and celebrating a first down while not knowing the clock situation… Big Ben should’ve gotten the boot for his turnovers, bad throws and uh… terrible bathroom stall “etiquette”
LMAO…Tomlin is ass
Some of you “fans” need to stop it .. it’s a lot easier to get worse .. Besides your talking about a franchise that has more Superbowls than different head coaches , are you really surprised there not in a hurry to sign Ben Johnson or Patriot Bill
Getting worse leads to us getting better. Mediocrity breeds more mediocrity. But hey, at least the Steelers can brag they only have had 3 coaches since 1969. Let that satisfy Steelernation.
The precursor to Tomlin never having a losing season. This is what the patsies don’t get. The only way to win is through the QB and the only way to get that sometimes is to be absolutely abysmal and then draft one high. Our franchise is what it is because when we have sucked so bad we’ve managed to rebuild around HoF QBs. Granted it’s not a guarantee, but at least there’s more plausible hope on the other end.
Steelers fans have been spoiled with good coaches. 3 in over 40+ years. Noll, Cower and Tomlin, not bad. My team, the Giants have had 5 in the last 10 years! Like the Packers having Favre, Rodgers and now Love since the 90’s, enjoy it while it lasts!
Tomlin being a good coach is not everybody’s opinion.
Three appearances and two of them wins would quantitate being pretty good.
Tomlin is easily one of the most overrated hacks around. He’s on par with Jeff Fisher.
This guy just sucks as a head coach. So many terrible calls in big spots that still haunt every Steeler fan. Just because he has a winning record and gets to the playoffs doesn’t make him worthy of still being here. This guy had several excellent teams and always comes up short. Head. A regular season coach at best but he has proved so many times that he is a horrible big game coach
So the two big game wins don’t count.
Where are you getting “two??” Noll won four, Cowher won one, and Tomlin won one. He’s been there twice but lost to the Packers in 2010.
The commitment to mediocrity continues.
Sean Payton hasn’t won a SB or sniffed one in nearly 20 years. People PRAISED that he got paid a ton of money, AND costed draft capital but hate this? You are all so unintelligent it blows my mind.
This way he can still stick his foot out trying to trip an opposing player
I like Tomlin as a coach as someone who is straight to the point and doesn’t mince words. I’m speculating but he’s probably better than most in molding and shaping his players to be responsible, decent people. However, all of those points doesn’t necessarily translate into victories. In his 17 seasons, he’s been to the playoffs 11 seasons, a pretty good mark if that is how you set the bar. But of those 11 playoff seasons, 6 were wild card, one-and-done losses and another was a 1st round bye one-and-done Divisional round loss. Seven one-and-dones in 11 tries is not very good.
So, while I agree he doesn’t throw the ball, run the ball, or catch the ball, he still had players who were good enough to make the playoffs 2/3rds of the time but then they crap out in the playoffs after one game 2/3rds of the time. Who should get the blame for that??
I think Tomlin handles players with egos extremely well. It’s not his job to mold someone into a decent person. He has a low tolerance for anyone on the roster who tries to disrupt the locker room with drama. Antonio Brown, L’Veon Bell and James Harrison were all very talented but when they couldn’t get with the program and decided to be a distraction, Tomlin told them to move on.
Tomlin extended you say? CRAP. Signed, Ravens fan.
What a great move!! Never had a losing season. Won with teams that should have been a lot worse. I love how this organization is ran. You’re not going to be Super Bowl champs every year and you’ll have down years at times,but to keep the consistency amongst the command staff is great.
Keep Grinding Coach
Mike Tomlin has more rings than Don Shula
As head coach, Don Shula has more rings, dummy
Awww … you took the time out of your day to come up with a nickname for me; and so witty too!
Shula sucks
He hasn’t done anything since the 2010 superbowl. Despite having top offensive weapons and good defense. He couldn’t go deep in playoffs. Gets outcoached. I’m tired of WELL HES NEVER HAD A LOSING SEASON. Big deal. It’s an obsolete statistic. Going 9-8 or 10-7, isn’t impressive in today’s scheme of things. People get in a rut when spending too much time at one job, or anything where a person would wear out his or her welcome. Seems some of the Rooney’s old habits don’t dissappear. They forced out Noll,would negotiate with Cohwer, but pat tomlin on the back for not going under 500. Oh well, rooney jr. is just another guy who’s satisfied with not having a losing season. And pro football franchises don’t lose money, no matter how pathetic they are.
I will try to stay out of the debate between those who understand how hard it is to win in the NFL and think a coach who has never had a losing season and has only coached one (ONE) game without playoff implications in his entire career is a good coach and those who think he’s a dunce who is the sole reason the team fails…this time.
I just want to address a standard Tomlin talking point…the “he won with Cowher’s players” thing. Setting aside the part where Cowher lost with his own players many times, but…
I happened to see the end of the 2010 Super Bowl on NFL Network last night. That roster was surprisingly different than the 2008 team, so Tomlin also won with his own players. If Wallace could hear the plays on the last drive, maybe they win it all.
More mediocrity, he is collector of a check and 9 wins, no more no less
It sounds like the peanut gallery would rather have someone from the Giants or the ‘Skins coaching the Steelers.
Remember when Steelers – Ravens were the most exciting games on tv, knock down drag out affairs. Baltimore’s still there, mostly kickin a#s w/their own MVP, Pitt has become strictly mid tier team on a good day. Tomlin’s clock management and some crucial play calls both could use lil polish. Used to be must see TV.
If Tomlin was just better at clock management it would make Old Ben/Duck/Mason/Kenny/Mitch as good as Lamar Jackson.
Arthur Smith will bring in rushing success? He had Bijan Robinson and forgot he was on the roster for games at a time.
I don’t think all of that was on Smith. It seems as though the team doctors at times couldn’t decide if Robinson was good to go or not. Fantasy league managers who had the RB on their roster were not amused.
Woo hoo. 3 more 9-8 seasons and no playoff wins
Gee, if certain members of the comment section were in charge, the rate of coaching turnover would be astronomical, since apparently you’re an absolute failure if you can’t win a Superbowl (an honor bestowed to ONE of 32 teams) every season
Steelers WON 6 of the 1st 43 SuperBowls! Now they’re on a 0-for-15 streak after Tomlin won one in 2008(his rookie season) inheriting Bill Cowher’s roster! He’s only made one other SB appearance since, in the 2010 season!
Maybe 1 out of 32 is okay for other teams…it most definitely is NOT for Steeler Nation!
Wah.
Also, “…inheriting Bill Cowher’s roster.”
1) Yes, the 2008 roster was nearly identical to the 2005 iteration. No exaggerations there.
2) If “Cowher’s roster” was so great, why did it go 8-8 during Cowher’s last season?
Ross would rather have Belichick, who missed the playoffs in 3 of his last 4 seasons.
Rooney Rule saves him…..