PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin will return as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach for the 2024 season, and while he does not yet have a contract extension beyond the final year that remains on his previous deal, that is coming.
Steelers president Art Rooney II confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after Tomlin spoke that he expects to have a contract extension with his head coach done this offseason.
“I expect to be back and I would imagine that those contract things are going to run their course,” Tomlin said. “Art and I have a real good, transparent relationship. We communicate continually, often. I don’t imagine it’s going to be an issue and I imagine it’s going to get done in a timely manner at the appropriate time.”
Tomlin is entering his 18th season as the team’s head coach. His previous contract extension was a three-year deal that he signed in 2021, running through the 2022-24 seasons. His contract extensions have traditionally been announced at training camp.
Tomlin made headlines for walking off the podium when asked about his future following the team’s playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday. Tomlin apologized for that on Thursday, though he maintained that the post-season press conference was a more appropriate place and time for that question.
“I’m in a little better mood today, anybody got any contract questions?” he said to open his press conference. “I certainly could have handled that situation better, but I’ll also say this: I just believe there’s a time and a place for everything and post-game press conferences are probably not the place to address contract issues and things of that nature. It’s just a very individual thing.”
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There had been speculation from national media that Tomlin could look to step aside after the 2023 season, when his team finished 10-7 but lost in the first round of the playoffs, the team’s fifth straight playoff loss under Tomlin.