Mike Tomlin has ended speculation about his situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his season-ending press conference on Thursday, the coach shot down reports that he might take a year away from coaching in 2024. Tomlin will be entering his 18th season, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL with the same team after Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots recently parted ways following 24 years.
Tomlin’s contract expires after the 2024 season. Tomlin has never entered a season in the final year of his contract but says he is confident he and team president Art Rooney II will work things out.
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Mike Tomlin Will Be Back, But Steelers’ Offense Is Likely To Change In 2024
John Perrotto
Senior Contributor
I cover MLB and the NFL.
Jan 19, 2024,03:46am EST
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin holds [+]
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Mike Tomlin has ended speculation about his situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his season-ending press conference on Thursday, the coach shot down reports that he might take a year away from coaching in 2024. Tomlin will be entering his 18th season, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL with the same team after Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots recently parted ways following 24 years.
Tomlin’s contract expires after the 2024 season. Tomlin has never entered a season in the final year of his contract but says he is confident he and team president Art Rooney II will work things out.
“Yes, I expect to be back,” Tomlin said. “I’d imagine those contract things are going to run their course. Art and I have a really good, transparent relationship. We communicate continually. 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. My mindset is to coach this football team, certainly.”
The Steelers had a rocky season that ended Monday when they lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-17 in an AFC wild-card playoff game in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Steelers’ final record was 10-8. They had to win their last three regular-season games to reach the postseason after three straight losses, including back-to-back defeats to the lowly Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots at home, dropped them to 7-7 following a 7-4 start.
The Steelers will have a new offensive coordinator next season. Tomlin said Tuesday that interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulker, elevated from running backs coach to replace the fired Matt Canada on Nov. 21, will not return in that role.
The Steelers were 28th in the league in points scored and 25th in total offense during the regular season.
“I want us to be versatile and dynamic,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, we’ve got to score more points. I want to be able to keep defenses off balance. I want to utilize all the talent that we have at our disposal. I’m excited about this process and in the talent pool out there and based on what I’ve seen thus far.
“I’m really open to learning through this process and seeing what people have to say about their visions, and so I certainly have a vision of what it looks like but I’m open to learning through this process.”
The new offensive coordinator will have to sort out the Steelers’ quarterback situation.
Kenny Pickett was listed first on the depth chart going into the playoffs. However, Mason Rudolph started the final three games of the regular season and then against the Bills.
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