Steelers extend head coach Mike Tomlin through 2021

The Pittsburgh Steelers have committed to head coach Mike Tomlin, giving him a one-year contract extension running through the 2021 season.

Mike Tomlin has had his doubters for years. Every time the Steelers come up short in a big game, the wolves come out howling for the head of the black and gold’s third head coach in 50 years.

Art Rooney II and the Steelers organization don’t see it that way, rewarding Tomlin with an extra year of job security today as the team reports to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA for training camp.

From the team’s website:

"“I am pleased to announce we have extended Mike Tomlin’s contract through the 2021 season,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “Mike is one of the most successful head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident in his leadership to continue to lead our team as we pursue our goal of winning another championship.”More from Still CurtainSteelers mantra ‘The standard is the standard’ has been pushed to the limit5 Steelers players who likely played their final game with the teamSteelers plan to have Matt Canada return as OC for the 2023 seasonSteelers news: Coaching decisions on hold, Titans snatch John Leglue, and moreAn in-depth review of Steelers Kenny Pickett’s rookie season"

If Tomlin has had his detractors among Steelers fans on social media and elsewhere, those who play for him view things differently. Tomlin was recently profiled by ESPN, and Pittsburgh players were complimentary:

"“Every team except one team in the NFL would love to have him,” said Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo, making the obvious nod to the New England Patriots, who have won six Super Bowls with Belichick. “His résumé speaks for itself. That’s what I want out of a coach.”Veteran guard Ramon Foster takes that analogy a step further.“I’m sure if you ask all 1,200 players in this league which one [of the coaches] they’d rather play for, he’s at the top of the list,” said Foster, a 10-year starter on Pittsburgh’s offensive line."

Last year’s 9-6-1 record was disappointing for a team whose fans are used to division titles and playoff runs, but the “Fire Tomlin” crowd does not consider that there are rather few coaches out here that are demonstrably better than Tomlin. Bill Belichick is not coming to Pittsburgh if the job opens up. Nor Sean McVay.

Those who call for firing (full disclosure: their shouts made a bit more sense at points last year, though nowhere near enough for me to join them) should consider the fortunate place Pittsburgh occupies, where a nine-win season is a disappointment.

How many other coaches who can deliver results like that and lull a fanbase into that sense of comfort would take the job? Belichick seems pretty happy in Foxboro. Here’s to righting the mistakes of last year and making Tomlin’s thirteenth season a lucky one.