Coach Mike Tomlin held his season-ending news conference yesterday and it was his longest session of the year, as he broke down his personal and organizational plans now that the Steelers are out of the playoffs.
The question on everybody’s mind was on Tomlin’s status as coach. He said he plans to be on the sidelines for an 18th season this fall, and he’s not concerned that it‘s the final year of his current deal and there is no extension in place.
Tomlin is confident a new deal will be worked out with Steelers owner Art Rooney II.
Tomlin indicated he is not really interested in other work.
Tomlin says losing the playoff game to Buffalo on Monday hurt, and he’d rather not be going south to Alabama this weekend to scout college players at the Senior Bowl.
Among the biggest offseason decisions facing Tomlin and the Steelers is an unsettled quarterback position. He said Kenny Pickett is still QB1 on the depth chart, but the 2022 top draft choice should not get too comfortable.
Asked repeatedly about whether Mason Rudolph could supplant Pickett as the starter, Tomlin said the Steelers would have to sign the free agent Rudolph first, but he wouldn’t mind watching that competition.
Tomlin also said he will look outside of the organization for a new offensive coordinator with NFL experience in the job. The tandem of interim O.C. Eddie Faulkner and play caller Mike Sullivan is not under consideration…for now.
The coach would not speculate on other coaching changes, but the Steelers’ defense was subpar again this season, particularly against the run, and the coach said there would be more offseason work dedicated to upgrading the inside linebacker corps, which was devastated by injuries this year.
One coaching change that will have to be made is on the offensive side. Offensive assistant Glenn Thomas has left after one season with the Steelers to become co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Nebraska.
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