Mike Tomlin Walks Off Podium after Question about Future

Following the Steelers’ 31-17 Wild Card Round loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday, Mike Tomlin was asked about his future with the team since he has only one year left remaining on his contract. To say the least, Tomlin wasn’t happy about it as he just walked off the podium.

Mike Tomlin, asked about his future after the #Steelers playoff loss, walks off the podium. pic.twitter.com/mHLyivdU0q

— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 16, 2024

There’s been a ton of speculation surrounding Tomlin’s future as the Steelers head coach over the last few weeks. NFL insiders Jay Glazer and Adam Schefter have suggested that Tomlin might take a break from coaching.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Tomlin will mull his coaching future after the season’s conclusion. He expects Tomlin to talk with his family about the future of his coaching career, and at 51-years-old, Tomlin could decide to step away.

“This year is a unique position for Mike Tomlin for the first time ever, he’s entering the last year of his contract,” Florio said. “I’m told he’s going to step back after the season ends, make a decision about his future with his family. He loves the team, the loves the young players there, but after the season, he’ll huddle with his family and make a decision about the Steelers.”

It should be noted that Tomlin has coached into the final season of his deal in 2021 before receiving an extension. But the deal ends after the 2024 season, although team president Art Rooney II said this summer that it would get done.

“We’ve done the contract at different points and people seem to read more into that than is warranted,” Rooney said to Steelers Nation Radio in July. “The contract will get done when it needs to get done. As Omar said, I expect Mike to be here a lot longer than the existing contract. We’ll get it done when the time comes.”