Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Tomlin will return to the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline for his 18th season, according to an NFL media report.
According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, Tomlin shared his intention to return to coach the Steelers in the 2024 season during a team meeting on Tuesday. Tomlin's decision came just a day after Pittsburgh lost to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.
In Tomlin's 17 seasons at the helm, his teams have never finished a season with a batting average below .500. In just his second season as an NFL head coach, Tomlin led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 6, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
But the Steelers' success in recent years has been limited. The Steelers last won the postseason in 2016, and the team has missed the playoffs in three of the past six seasons.
The lack of notable wins sparked discussion about whether the franchise would move in a different coaching direction.
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Tomlin left Monday's postgame press conference midway through reporters' questions about his coaching future.
The Steelers' offense has received widespread attention in recent years, especially during the 2023 season. Offensive production issues forced Tomlin to part ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canda during the season.
December 31, 2023. Seattle, Washington, USA. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during the second half of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. (Stephen Bisig-USA TODAY Sports)
Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner was promoted to offensive coordinator, but quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan handled most of the play-calling duties during games. Pittsburgh ranked near the bottom of the NFL in both points per game and yards per game for much of the season.
The 2024 season will be the final year of Tomlin's contract with the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches during the first half of a game against the New England Patriots at Acrezier Stadium on December 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt expressed support for Tomlin on Tuesday.
“I want to play for Mike T,” said TJ Watt, a three-time All-Pro with the Steelers, according to The Athletic. “That was huge in my contract negotiations. I don't want to play for anyone other than Mike T. If you look at the way I talk about him, you can see how much I respect him as a coach and as a person. You'll see that he values you.''He's a leader. That’s what I support him for.”
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The Steelers have only had three head coaches in the modern era. Tomlin's tenure began after Hall of Fame coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher.
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