Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach, expressed his intensified commitment to the job and expects a contract extension.
He acknowledged mishandling a postgame press conference but emphasized his focus on coaching.
Tomlin said, “I expect to be back, and I would imagine that those contract things are going to run their course.” ‘
“Art [Rooney II] and I have a really good, transparent relationship. We communicate continually often. I don’t imagine it’s going to be an issue, and I imagine it’s going to get done in a timely manner at the appropriate time, but my mindset is to coach his football team,” explained the coach.
“I certainly could have handled that situation better than I did,” admitted Tomlin.
“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, Certainly I am not,” he continued.
Despite speculation, he dismissed the idea of stepping away and emphasized his continual evaluation of his coaching role.
“I understand speculation is a component of what it is that we do,” said Tomlin.
“I try not to get caught up in it or distracted by it, particularly when it is not where I’m at. And so that’s been my mindset regarding it,” added Tomlin.
“I coach football; that’s what I do. I’m respectful of the position that I hold. I have no sense of entitlement in terms of what I do. I just got a high level of respect for what we all do in this space, and I try to earn it daily, and I think that’s just my mentality,” explained Tomlin.
“I don’t ponder a lot of things. I’m appreciative of things daily, and I try to work with urgency daily, and I don’t know that that has changed. It probably hasn’t from my perspective. I’m always on go,” he added.
Tomlin plans to hire an external offensive coordinator and confirmed Kenny Pickett as the 2024 starting quarterback with potential competition.
“And so whatever we got to do to do it, whatever changes need to be made, I’m open to it,” promised the Steelers’ coach.
“I want us to be versatile and dynamic,” said Tomlin.
“Obviously we got to score more points. I want to be able to keep defenses off-balance. I want to utilize all the talent that we have at our disposal. I’m excited about this process and the talent pool out there,” he added.
He also expressed interest in retaining quarterback Mason Rudolph.
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