What Mike Tomlin’s new contract extension means for the Steelers
By Tommy Jaggi
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently locked up head coach, Mike Tomlin, through the 2021 season. Here’s what he new deal could mean for his future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had just 3 head coaches since 1969, and it appears that 50-year trend will continue a little further.
Pittsburgh recently gave head coach, Mike Tomlin, a one-year extension that locks him up through 2021:
This deal is not surprising, as the Steelers have done this song and dance with Tomlin in the past. However, it’s interesting to note that the Rooney family hasn’t given Tomlin a longer extension.
However, the Steelers head coach is just happy to continue to be a part of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. Here is what he had to say about his new deal:
"“I am very appreciative of this contract extension and opportunity and want to thank Art Rooney II and everyone in the organization for the support in my first 12 seasons. We have a goal of winning the organization’s seventh Super Bowl championship, and I couldn’t be more excited about this upcoming season.”"
This offseason started in disaster for the Steelers head coach, as his superstars made the news for all of the wrong reasons. There were questions about whether Mike Tomlin was equipped to deal with locker room issues surrounding his players.
Tomlin has a fantastic track record with the Steelers – boasting a 125-66-1 record and never having a season with a losing record after 12 years in Pittsburgh.
Still, the antics and the lack of discipline had to have been in the back of the Rooney family’s minds as the Steelers continued to be the circus of the NFL.
Nevertheless, Mike Tomlin’s record speaks for itself, and he continues to be one of the most consistent pieces to one of the league’s best franchises.
The overall team demeanor is expected to increase without Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell around, but it will be up to Tomlin to put any other future issues to rest before they become the problems we have seen just this past season.
I won’t go as far as to say that coach Tomlin is on thin ice with Art Rooney II and the Steelers, but it’s interesting to note that he received just a one-year extension. Maybe that is there way of holding him accountable.