Mike Tomlin just solidified his 2024 coaching plans.
The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ 2023 season ended abruptly this past weekend in Buffalo as Mike Tomlin and co. were outclassed by the Bills to the tune of a 31-17 score.
Despite being regarded as a sitting dog in the Wild Card round, it was impressive that the Steelers even made the playoffs with the rotating door of quarterbacks. 2021 first-round pick, Kenny Pickett struggled out of the gate and just as he seemingly found his groove, he went down with an injury. In steps veteran journeyman, Mitchell Trubisky, who looked lost while manning the offense, which then forced Tomlin’s hand to toss in longtime Steelers backup, Mason Rudolph. While not setting the world on fire, Rudolph provided some stability and didn’t turn the ball over, which allowed the team to rely on the 1-2 punch in the backfield with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren coupled with a stifling defense.
However, that run would come to a halt during the club’s aforementioned Wild Card round game in Buffalo as the Steelers were just outmatched and out-talented by the Bills, especially with Rudolph under center in addition to All-Pro edge rusher, TJ Watt being sidelined with an injury.
Will Mike Tomlin Return in 2024?
Prior to the Steelers’ playoff exit, Tomlin hinted at potentially thinking about taking a step back from coaching, and following the game in Buffalo, the Super Bowl Champion head coach stormed out of his press conference after being asked about his current contract situation in Pittsburgh.
However, Tomlin offered the following statement to ESPN, noting that not only does he believe to be back in 2024, he expects an extension from the club:
“I expect to be back, and I would imagine that those contract things are going to run their course. Art [Rooney II] and I have a really 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, but my mindset is to coach his football team.”
As previously mentioned, Tomlin walked out of his post-game presser following the loss in Buffalo, something Tomlin says he feels like he could’ve handled a different way:
“I certainly could have handled that situation better than I did. 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.”
Mike Tomlin’s Historic Run in Pittsburgh
Following a lengthy run (1995-2005) as an assistant, coaching receivers and defensive backs in college with VMI, Memphis, Arkansas State, and Cincinnati before doing the same with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tomlin would be named the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings in 2006.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Tomlin as the club’s head coach in 2007, following in the footsteps of legendary coach, Bill Cowher. Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl title in his second year manning the sidelines in Pittsburgh and while he’s yet to hoist another Lombardi Trophy since, he’s the only coach in NFL history to have a winning record in each of his first 17 seasons as a head coach. Tomlin has compiled a 173-100-2 regular season record to go along with a 8-10 record in the post-season for a 181-110-2 record overall.
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