Mike Tomlin walks out on press conference after question about his job

Aug 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin was not in the mood for questions about his job status following his Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff game on Monday.

Tomlin’s Steelers lost 31-17 to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round of the playoffs at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. This was the third time in four seasons that the Steelers had made the playoffs but lost in the Wild Card round.

There had been some rumors recently that Tomlin could walk away after this season. At the end of his postgame press conference, a reporter tried to ask the coach about his plans.

“Mike, you have a year left on your contract…” the reporter began.

As soon as he heard the nature of the question, Tomlin walked out.

“Mike, you have a year left on your contract…”

Mike Tomlin: 💨 ✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/ouAncRXTzy

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2024

That didn’t seem to be the time or place that Tomlin wanted to address his job. His team’s season had just ended, and Tomlin had just been coaching outside in freezing temperatures for over three hours. But the longtime Steelers coach will have to address things before too long.

Tomlin has coached the Steelers for 17 seasons. He has never had a losing record as their head coach.