Steelers extend contract with NFL's longest-tenured coach Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached a three-year contract extension with head coach Mike Tomlin, who is already the longest-tenured sideline boss in the National Football League (NFL), the team announced on Monday.

"Mike Tomlin's leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach," Steelers team president Art Rooney II said in a statement. "Extending his contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success."

Before the new deal was agreed, Tomlin was entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed with the Steelers in 2021 and about to begin his 18th campaign as their head coach. The team made the playoffs in 11 of the past 17 seasons under him, including going to the Super Bowl twice, and lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the 2008 campaign.

The 2023 season was not very smooth for either the Steelers or Tomlin. They secured playoff qualification with three straight wins at the end of the regular season but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the American Football Conference (AFC) Wild Card Game. As a result, rumors began to spread about his future with the team.

"I certainly could have handled that situation better than I did," Tomlin said days after the postseason loss. "But I'll also say this: I just believe there's a time and place for everything and postgame press conferences are probably not the place to address contract issues and things of that nature. It's just a very individual thing and on game day, I doubt any of us are in that mindset."

The Steelers made a series of moves to enhance their team during the offseason. They appointed former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, signed quarterback Russell Wilson in free agency and traded with the Chicago Bears for former first-round signal caller Justin Fields.

"I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh," Tomlin said in the statement. "We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise's seventh Lombardi Trophy."