After Monday's playoff loss, Mike Tomlin raised eyebrows by abruptly ending his postgame press conference after someone asked him a question about his soon-to-expire contract.
Although Tomlin made it to the playoffs, his season performance was not very good, and there was speculation that Tomlin would leave the Pittsburgh Steelers as his contract expires next season.
After the blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills, Tomlin was about to take questions about his contract, but suddenly took a left turn and ended the press conference without answering any questions.
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Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers leaves the field at halftime during a Raiders game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 24, 2023. (Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Tomlin has since told his players he intends to return for the 2024 season, but is still working toward an extension.
The awkward moment for Tomlin drew headlines and criticism, but on Thursday Tomlin stood at the microphone, certainly in a better mood than he was earlier this week, and admitted he was wrong.
“I'm in a bit of a better mood today. Does anyone have any questions about the contract?” Tomlin joked.
“Let me just say this: You could have handled that situation better than I did,” he said via Awful Announcement.
But he still defended his position, saying there was a “time and place” to ask such questions.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before a game against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on January 6, 2024. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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“The postgame press conference is probably not the place to address contract issues and things like that. It's a very personal thing,” Tomlin continued. “And on game day, I don't think any of us would think that way. Certainly not me. I just don't think it's the right place to talk about things of that nature. .It's certainly open and we're going to do it today at this venue. ”
Tomlin said the extension is “finished when it's done” and “isn't a top priority.”
In Tomlin's 17 seasons at the helm, his teams have never finished a season with a batting average below .500, but they haven't won a postseason game since 2016.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discusses a call during a Browns game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on September 22, 2022. (Nick Cammet/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
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In just his second season as an NFL head coach, Tomlin led the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII.
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.
FOX News' Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
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