Mike Tomlin is the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach, and he’ll remain in his current position for the foreseeable future.
On Monday, Tomlin agreed to a three-year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season.
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Reach 3-Year Extension
Tomlin, 52, has gone 173-100-2 over 17 seasons as the Steelers’ head coach, infamously never posting a losing record. He’s taken Pittsburgh to the playoffs 11 times, winning seven AFC North titles, three AFC Championship Games, and Super Bowl XLIII.
“I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for (Steelers owner) Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin said. “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.”
Tomlin’s 173 regular-season victories are tied for 12th in league history and rank second among active head coaches, trailing only Andy Reid. He became the league’s longest-tenured head coach after Bill Belichick departed the New England Patriots in January.
“Mike Tomlin’s leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach,” Rooney said. “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.”
Was Tomlin Close to Leaving the Steelers?
While Tomlin has fielded a consistent winner in Pittsburgh, the Steelers’ last playoff victory came after the 2016 season, when they beat the pre-Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card Round.
In 2023, the Steelers snuck into the postseason after winning their three final games to finish 10-7. Pittsburgh was quickly dispatched in a two-touchdown Wild Card Round loss to the Buffalo Bills, and Tomlin stormed off the podium after being asked about his contract status.
Although it may have all been speculation, offseason rumors at least suggested that Tomlin’s future with the Steelers was somewhat up in the air. After all, it’s relatively rare for a veteran head coach with Tomlin’s track record to walk into a season as a lame duck with one year remaining on his contract.
Pro Football Talk indicated that Tomlin would take time to “reassess his situation” before deciding on a path forward. While the Steelers never considered firing Tomlin, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Tomlin could have decided to step away and take a year off from coaching.
Instead, Tomlin will stick as Pittsburgh’s head coach into his 60s. The upcoming 2024 NFL season will feature as much change as any Steelers season in recent memory.
Former first-round pick Kenny Pickett is gone, replaced by offseason acquisitions Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson will be Pittsburgh’s Week 1 starter, barring a complete surprise, but Fields should have a chance to overtake the veteran by midseason.
Meanwhile, Tomlin finally acquiesced and fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada midway through last year; it was the first time the Steelers had canned a head coach or coordinator in-season since 1941. Ex-Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith should offer a more competent plan as Pittsburgh’s new offensive play-caller.