Pittsburgh, Pa. (93.7 The Fan/WGR 550) - According to reports, Mike Tomlin isn’t going anywhere as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reports the 17-year head coach will lead the team for, at least, an 18th season in Pittsburgh.
Garafolo says Tomlin told his players that speculation of him leaving was not true.
"Speculation about him stepping away is unfounded, and he plans on coaching the team in 2024, sources say," said Garafolo.
Tomlin is expected to hold his final news conference of the year later this week.
Defensive captain Cam Heyward defended Tomlin on Tuesday, a day after the team lost another playoff game, this time in the AFC Wild Card Round to the Buffalo Bills.
"My thought is he will be the coach here," Heyward said. "Mike T. wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Is a Pittsburgh Steeler. Why would anyone ask for anything else?"
All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt said a big part of his decision to re-sign with the Steelers was because of Tomlin.
"I want to play for Mike T," Watt said. "It was huge in my contract talks that I don’t want to play for anyone other than Mike T. You guys see the way I talk about how much I respect and appreciate him as a coach, man and leader."
There has been speculation and rumors that Tomlin might decide to step away from coaching the Steelers. Some people with 93.7 The Fan were also told there was a strong possibility that it might happen.
National media like ESPN's Adam Schefter and a friend of Tomlin, FOX's Jay Glazer, talked about Tomlin moving on as a "not out of the realm of possibility."
But it looks like the longest-tenured coach in the NFL will continue to set the standard in Pittsburgh.