When you consider the Pittsburgh Steelers plight entering the game Week 16, it isn’t a shock many were questioning whether Mike Tomlin would be back in 2024. Whether he leave via trade, choose to step away, or get fired, it seemed the writing was on the wall for the Steelers to move on from their head coach.

To put it plainly, it seemed the two parties had reached their tipping point with one another, at least from the outside looking in.

This all stemmed from Tomlin and the Steelers not reaching a contract extension prior to the start of the season. As is customary, the Steelers and their coaches typically negotiate contracts with two years remaining on their current deal. That would be this season for Tomlin and company. A deal wasn’t done, and the thought of Tomlin heading into the 2024 as a lame duck coach, a coach on the final year of his current contract, seemed unlikely.

From our sources inside the facility, Tomlin wants to return. Unless something drastic has happened in the past two weeks, Tomlin is preparing on being back in Pittsburgh next year. Any change in that would be made from the top of the organization, not on Tomlin wanting out.

Well, after the Steelers 34-11 win over the Bengals at home Saturday, it is now being reported the two parties are going to look for a contract extension this offseason keeping Tomlin in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. This per Dov Kleiman, who cites NBC Sports for the news:

𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: #Steelers want Mike Tomlin back; they plan to extend his contract this offseason.

Tomlin is already involved in roster planning for the next two years.

(per @NBCSports) pic.twitter.com/zrcdslZ5Z1

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 24, 2023

While this will ignite the Tomlin hater fan club among the Steelers fan base, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The Steelers love continuity, and Tomlin keeps that in tact for the proud franchise.

What will be interesting, if Tomlin does indeed return, is how the organization will handle the coaching staff and roster construction moving forward. The team will already be replacing the offensive coordinator, and possibly more than that if major overhauls occur. Nonetheless, it seems Mike Tomlin is going to be back in Pittsburgh, sorry to be the bearer of bad news for so many.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.