Mike Tomlin gets 2-year extension from Steelers through '18 season
Mike Tomlin, one of the NFL's longest-tenured head coaches, signed a two-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelerson Thursday that will make him one of the top five highest-paid coaches in the NFL, a source told ESPN.
The source said the extension, which runs through the 2018 season, is worth at least $7 million per season, which vaults Tomlin into the top 5 in regard to coaching salaries.
In eight seasons with the Steelers, Tomlin has four AFC North titles, five playoff appearances and one Super Bowl win in two appearances.
"Mike has proven he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident he will continue to lead the team in our pursuit of another Super Bowl championship," team president Art Rooney II said.
Tomlin, 43, is the sixth-longest-tenured coach in the league. He has posted an 82-46 record in eight seasons, the best eight-year start in franchise history by a Steelers head coach. That list is short, of course -- Tomlin is only the third Pittsburgh coach since 1969. Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin all have been named NFL Coach of the Year.
Though the team did not disclose financial terms, this deal could place Tomlin among the league's highest-paid coaches based on his tenure and accomplishments, including the cachet of Tomlin's two Super Bowl berths and his guidance of a 2015 team expected to contend.
Only Bill Belichick, Marvin Lewis, Tom Coughlin, Mike McCarthy and Sean Payton have been with their current NFL teams longer than Tomlin.
"I very much appreciate this contract extension, but my sole focus has been and will continue to be meeting the challenges that lie ahead for the 2015 season," Tomlin said. "I look forward to pursuing what is the Steelers' goal every year -- bringing another Super Bowl championship to the city of Pittsburgh."
Yes, those expectations are rather clear-cut.
And Tomlin seems to love coaching in Pittsburgh, as evidenced by eight straight years of at least five home wins. Tomlin has coached 45 Pro Bowl selections during his Steelers tenure.
