Brooke Pryor, ESPN Staff Writer January 15, 2024, 10:26 p.m. ET
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- He previously covered the Kansas City Chiefs for the Kansas City Star and Oklahoma University for the Oklahoman.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Mike Tomlin didn't wait to hear the rest of the question.
After losing to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round on Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach was leaving the podium in the visitors' interview room at Highmark Stadium when he was asked a question that began: “Mike, you have one more year.” Time.” Contract.”
Although he is under contract through the 2024 season, Tomlin's future with the organization is the subject of intense speculation after an NFL-record 17 undefeated seasons as a head coach.
As he did at the end of previous seasons, the 51-year-old Tomlin is expected to discuss his future with his family and Steelers owner Art Rooney II as the organization heads into the offseason.
Tomlin, so often a coach distinguished by his carefully chosen words, offered no response to the rumors. However, his players had plenty.
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“That’s above my pay grade,” defenseman Patrick Peterson said in response to a question about the uncertainty of the Steelers’ offseason. “I know I love it here. I love Coach T, everything he has done to motivate this team and put us in a position to be successful. I have no doubt he is the guy for the job.”
Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, battling groin injuries in his 13th NFL season, also advocated for Tomlin's return.
“I feel like Mike T is coming back, but that’s not my decision,” Heyward said. “I won’t speak for him. All I know is – I think the group here as a whole is a strong group that can win a Super Bowl.”
When asked about Tomlin's role in leading the Steelers to the playoffs, Heyward added: “We put so much into it, he put so much into it, and I just think every player there would be nothing without Mike T.” This group would do it.” Without Mike T. it doesn't work to even get into the playoffs. He holds us accountable from top to bottom and I wouldn’t want to play for any other coach.”
Tomlin led the team through a tumultuous season that included the unusual midseason firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada and significant injuries to Heyward, quarterback Kenny Pickett, star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and two starting inside linebackers.
Under Tomlin's leadership, the Steelers redressed a three-game losing streak and secured seventh place in the AFC. After Mason Rudolph was installed as the starting quarterback, the team won three straight to end the regular season. Against Buffalo, however, the Steelers fell into a 21-0 hole in the first half, largely due to defensive errors and two turnovers.
“Mike T is a great coach,” Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris said. “But we can’t rely too much on Mike T. Sometimes you just have to look at the players. Sometimes you can't even look at the coaches. You just have to look at the players, and we didn’t really execute.”
While the team was wholeheartedly committed to Tomlin, Harris also hinted that there would be discussions behind the scenes. Harris emphasized that the coaches are not the problem, but Harris said he would like to see changes in the team's structure and discipline.
“Obviously this is my third year,” Harris said. “I have my opinion on things, but I'm just a player. But if we want to rise and get to where we are, there have to be some internal things that have to change. I always feel like Coach T. tells me, “Just play running back” and that’s a little internal thing that we have too. But if we want to rise and get to where we are and achieve the goals that we want, we have to change some internal things.”
When Harris was asked what needed to change, he elaborated.
“It’s just the rules that apply in the building,” Harris said. “We have to be more disciplined. We have to be more committed. I'm not saying we don't do that, but we're just coming from a place of structure and just seeing that we could probably get help in those areas. This could work.” a change. I think this is something we could help with. I'm not saying anything about coaches or anything like that. I'm just saying more about internal rules.
“I’m just a player, but the guys in this building know what I’m talking about.”