The rumors regarding Mike Tomlin’s status with the Pittsburgh Steelers have been put to rest.
At his final-season press conference on Thursday, the coach dismissed rumors that he could step away from coaching in 2024 for a year. With Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots having recently announced their separation after 24 years, Tomlin will be starting his 18th season as the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach still employed by the same franchise.
Tomlin’s deal ends following the 2024 campaign. Although Tomlin has never started a season in the last year of his deal, he has confidence that he and team president Art Rooney II will come to an understanding.
“Yes, I do anticipate returning,” Tomlin replied. “Those contractual obligations are probably going to expire. Art and I have an open, wonderful connection. We talk to each other all the time. I don’t think there will be any problems, and I think everything will be completed on schedule and at the right moment. Of course, my attitude is to coach this football squad.
The Steelers’ difficult season came to an end on Monday in Orchard Park, New York, as they fell to the Buffalo Bills 31–17 in an AFC wild-card playoff game.
The Steelers finished with a 10-8 record. After losing three straight games, including back-to-back home losses to the lowly Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, they plummeted to 7-7 after a 7-4 start. They needed to win their final three regular-season games to make it to the postseason.
There will be a new offensive coordinator for the Steelers
upcoming season. Eddie Faulker, who was promoted from running backs coach to offensive coordinator on November 21 when Matt Canada was dismissed, will not be taking over as offensive coordinator, Tomlin announced on Tuesday.
During the regular season, the Steelers were 25th in overall offense and 28th in points scored in the league.
Tomlin stated, “I want us to be dynamic and adaptable.” We must, of course, score more points. My goal is to be able to deceive defenders. I want to make the most of every talent we possess. Based on what I’ve seen thus far, the talent pool out there, and this process all excite me.
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The quarterback dilemma for the Steelers will need to be resolved by the new offensive coordinator.
Prior to the playoffs, Kenny Pickett was ranked first on the depth chart. But Mason Rudolph started the last three regular-season games, followed by the game against the Bills.
On December 7, during a game against the Patriots, Pickett hurt his ankle and had surgery. Despite being cleared to play in the regular-season finale versus the Ravens on January 6 in Baltimore, he did not play. Pickett did not play in the playoff game either.
According to Tomlin, Pickett will be the starting quarterback in training camp but will encounter opposition in the exhibition season.
Rudolph, though, may choose not to participate in the tournament. The veteran will get free admission his efforts, his current situation, and his excitement about working with him going forward. He will undoubtedly face challenges from the competitors, though. Proceeding ahead. We are all at our finest when we compete.
Pickett was chosen by the Steelers in the first round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He completed 62% of his throws for 2,070 yards and six touchdowns against four interceptions in 12 games during his second pro season.
Trubisky played in five games, throwing for 632 yards and four touchdowns with a 62.6 completion percentage. Five interceptions were made of him.
In four regular-season games, Rudolph completed 74.3% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He completed 22 of 39 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns against the Bills one INT and two TDs.