The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a Mike Tomlin contract deadline.
This news was reported Saturday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter: The Steelers have to choose by March 1 whether to opt-in to an option year Tomlin has on his contract for 2027.
Tomlin is under contract through 2026 no matter what.
“There will be organizational meetings and decisions that occur but not until after this season is complete, with a full body of work for all appropriate parties to review, sources said,” Schefter wrote.
Tomlin’s job is safe in the short term, Schefter adds.
“Nobody in the Steelers organization nor around the NFL expects Pittsburgh to fire Tomlin; the organization hasn’t fired a head coach since 1941,” Schefter wrote.
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It would be a bit unusual for the Steelers to decline Tomlin’s option. It would certainly create some tension.
“The option in Tomlin’s contract is the real touchstone,” Schefter writes. “If the Steelers decline to pick up Tomlin’s option, they would be allowing their head coach to enter the final year of his contract next season, which teams typically prefer not to do.”
Tomlin has never had a losing season during his 18 seasons coaching the Steelers.
This, year 19, has the Steelers at 6-6 with five games to play.
At the same time, Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016.
The close to this season could be the first step in determining Tomlin’s future in Pittsburgh.
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