Report: Mike Tomlin has made decision on his future

Nov 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts before the Steelers play against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin has coached the Pittsburgh Steelers for 17 seasons. His lengthy run doesn’t appear to be ending just yet.

Towards the end of the Steelers’ 2023 campaign, there were some rumors that Tomlin could walk away after the season. At the very least, reports made it sound like Tomlin would weigh the decision heavily.

But according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Tomlin on Tuesday informed Steelers players that he plans to coach the team in 2024. Garafolo’s report also labeled the speculation on Tomlin’s future “unfounded.”

In a team meeting today, Mike Tomlin told #Steelers players the speculation about him stepping away is unfounded and he plans on coaching the team in 2024, sources say.

Tomlin, who is entering the final year of his contract, is expected to address the media later this week. pic.twitter.com/GwBax5Dei4

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 16, 2024

Tomlin has just one year left on the 3-year contract extension he signed back in 2021. Tomlin is currently the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL following the departures of Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick from their 2023 teams.

A reporter tried to ask Tomlin about his future plans on Monday after his Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs. The Steelers coach walked off the podium before she could even finish her question (video here).

Perhaps it was Tomlin’s subtle way of telling the world to stop pestering him about the “unfounded” rumors of his looming exit.