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Following the news of Bill Belichick and New England Patriots parting ways, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin became the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL.
But if recent rumors were to be believed, Tomlin could well be out the door right behind Belichick. Tomlin did nothing to put those rumors to bed on Monday when he walked off the podium following a question about his future without giving an answer.
Now it appears we have an answer.
In a team meeting today, Mike Tomlin told #Steelers players the speculation about him stepping away is unfounded and he plans on coaching the team in 2024, sources say.
Tomlin, who is entering the final year of his contract, is expected to address the media later this week. pic.twitter.com/GwBax5Dei4
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 16, 2024
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reports that Tomlin met with his team Tuesday to inform them that he would return to coach in 2024.
The 51-year has been with the organization for 17 years and boasts a remarkable 173-100-2 (.633 win percentage) record. He’s been to the playoffs 11 times, including two Super Bowl appearances. Tomlin led Pittsburgh to victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 43 before losing Super Bowl 45 to Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
But Pittsburgh has struggled in recent years. Particularly since the retirement of future hall of fame QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger questioned his former coach earlier this season while the Steelers went on a three-game slide.
“Maybe the tradition of the Pittsburgh Steelers is done,” he said.
“Who is grabbing someone by the face mask and saying, ‘That’s not what we do.’ Is that happening?” Roethlisberger said. “Yes, you have guys on defense doing it, but you need guys on both sides of the ball doing it. You need someone to stand up in that room, on offense, and be like, ‘Hey, this isn’t what it means to wear the black and gold.'”
Was that enough to make Tomlin question his future in the Steelers’ organization?
Probably not.
But it’s clear something did, and it took until Tuesday for Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh to become clear.