Players across Steelers locker room appreciate continuity provided by Mike Tomlin extension

Over his six seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Donte Jackson played under six head coaches.

So when, on the eve of his first mandatory practice with his new team, word broke that the head coach’s contract was extended for three more years, Jackson appreciated it as much as or more than anybody.

“That was the one thing that drew me to this place and made me fall in love with it,” the veteran cornerback said of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.

“From a person like me who I felt like every offseason I was kind of unsettled — I didn’t know what was going to happen, what was going to go on — it’s good to see that this organization really cares about the culture and cares about everything that’s been happening and been established. It’s just good to see and good to be a part of.”

Just before the first practice session of mandatory minicamp Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, players from across the Steelers locker room spoke of their gratitude not only for Tomlin being their coach but for the sense of continuity provided by the organization in tying him to the team through 2027.

Tomlin, of course, is only the Steelers’ third head coach since 1969.

“That consistency can’t be taken for granted,” special teams captain Miles Killebrew said. “It provides us a sense of comfort knowing that that is in place. That consistency is key, I think, for everybody to know what to expect going into the fall and how to prepare.”

Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin's contract extension shows Steelers love stability ... and accept mediocrity https://t.co/S7xS2C7NZU

— Tribune-Review Sports (@TribSports) June 10, 2024

The Steelers announced the three-year extension for Tomlin on Monday. It came as he was embarking on the final season of his current contract. Few, if any, though, believed the season was going to begin with Tomlin carrying any sort of lame-duck status.

If the 52-year-old Tomlin completes this contract, he will have coached the Steelers for 21 seasons. That would leave him just two seasons shy of Chuck Noll’s tenure (1969-1991) and extend his lead on the 15-year reign of immediate predecessor Bill Cowher.

“I’m very happy for him,” Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “He’s the best coach I’ve ever played for, and I think a lot of guys in the locker room will say the same thing. We wouldn’t be able to win the games that we’ve won without him. He’s a great leader of men, and I can’t say enough good things about him. It’s definitely well earned.”

Already among the NFL’s highest-paid coaches, Tomlin’s new deal — particularly with Bill Belichick not active — surely moves him up the list of highest salaries. Tomlin is 173-100-2 with no losing seasons and eight playoff victories over 17 seasons. The Steelers won the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, added another AFC title and have won the AFC North division seven times under Tomlin.

“The proof is in the pudding,” Jackson said. “He’s a great, great leader of men, a great coach. It’s good to see good guys in the business get taken care of,whether you are a player or coach or GM, whoever you are, it’s just good to see good guys in this profession get taken care of. And he certainly falls into that category.”

Tomlin, as he is wont to do, downplayed the significance of his extension when asked about it after Tuesday’s practice.

“To be quite honest with you, it means I just don’t have to field questions about it,” said. “I’ve seen more days than I am gonna see on this job. I am just focused on 2024 — and have been — and that’s my mindset.”