Steelers' Mike Tomlin expects offseason extension - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin isn't going anywhere.

Days after walking out of a postgame press conference during a question about his future, the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach said his fire for the job has «intensified» and he expects to get a contract extension this offseason.

«I expect to be back, and I would imagine that those contract things are going to run their course,» Tomlin said at his end of season press conference Thursday. «Art [Rooney II] and I have a really good transparent relationship. We communicate continually often. I don't imagine it's going to be an issue, and I imagine it's going to get done in a timely manner at the appropriate time, but my mindset is to coach his football team.»

He also explained his walk-off during the final question of the press conference following the wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills and acknowledged that he didn't handle it well.

«I certainly could have handled that situation better than I did,» Tomlin said. «But I'll also say this, I just believe there's a time and place for everything and postgame press conferences are probably not the place to address contract issues and things of that nature. It's just a very individual thing and on game day I doubt any of us are in that mindset, Certainly I am not.»

Tomlin signed a three-year contract extension in 2021, tying him to the team through the 2024 season. Outside speculation swirled late in the season that the coach might consider stepping away for a year after the 2023 season, but Tomlin laughed and responded with a simple, «no» when asked if he told anyone he had considered taking a break.

«I understand speculation is a component of what it is that we do,» Tomlin said. «I try not to get caught up in it or distracted by it,