Mike Tomlin Gets a Contract Extension
On Monday, the Steelers gave Mike Tomlin a three year contract extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through 2027.
Welcome back. It has been too long, but with our family’s recent move and all that comes with it, writing has taken a back seat. There has been no shortage of discussion around the Pittsburgh Steelers — like Cameron Heyward wanting a contract extension. So before we get to the news of the day, My short thoughts on that are this: I think it will happen. Heyward is a captain, he will retire a Steeler, and one day be in the hall of honor. However, he is getting older and coming off an injury. It will take some time to work all of that out. Now the head coach.
Some would say the extension for Tomlin is a surprise, but any reasonable person isn’t surprised at all. After all, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had three coaches since the late 60s. This team keeps coaches more than double the time of the average marriage in the U.S. (which is eight years, by the way). This is their character.
The critics of Tomlin are not hard to find. I have certainly been one. The supporters are just as vocal as well. Many of the critics are those closest to to the team, local reporters, fans, etc. The critics more the national media types. I am generalizing, but you get the point. And before I dive in let me say that I am happy with Mike Tomlin. I like Mike Tomlin and want him to be the Steelers head coach. But if you say things haven’t gotten stale, I am not sure what you are watching. He is leader of men, no doubt. But the on the field product is lacking. Seven seasons without a playoff win, blown out in their last three playoff games, Tomlin’s defense run off the field. Hiring and keeping Matt Canada as your offensive coordinator. The mistakes add up. We have heard it over and over from many in the media. The blame is sent elsewhere. But the head coach is not and should not be immune. The results have to change over the next three years, or Tomlin’s legacy in Pittsburgh will remembered poorly.
Again, I am happy Tomlin is sticking around, riding it out. At the end of this extension he will have been in Pittsburgh 21 years, which is the majority of my life. He is synonymous with Pittsburgh Steelers football in my mind. I want him and this team to do well, to win, to get another Super Bowl. But until then, I won’t let the likes of Rich Eisen or others tell me he is the best thing going and I should be grateful. He is a great coach who has not been great for some time and needs to do better. Plain and simple. Like he says “the standard is the standard”.
Mandatory mini camp starts tomorrow, next month is training camp, and before you know it the preseason will be here. Let’s get back to a weekly cadence and a regular rhythm. If you know a Steeler fan, I would love it if you made them read this and subscribe.
Thanks for reading. I’ll see yinz in the next one.