Steelers, Tomlin agree to extension
LATROBE – The Steelers weren’t able to reach a contract extension with star running back Le’Veon Bell in the weeks leading up to the start of their training camp at Saint Vincent College.
But they did get one done with head coach Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers announced Friday they had signed Tomlin to a two-year extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2020 season.
“Mike continues to prove he is one of the top head coaches in the National Football League,” said team president Art Rooney II. “We appreciate the leadership that Mike has provided over the last 10 seasons, and we are confident and excited to have him continue to lead our team as we focus on winning another championship.”
Tomlin, 45, is entering his 11th season with the Steelers after being replacing Bill Cowher in 2007. The Steelers have had just three head coaches since 1969, making them one of the most stable franchises in professional sports.
“I truly appreciate this contract extension, and I want to thank Art Rooney II for his support as well as everyone within the organization,” said Tomlin. “My first 10 years in Pittsburgh have been an amazing experience for me and my family. I’m proud to call Pittsburgh home. My focus is on the upcoming season, and our goals remain the same as they always are – to bring a seventh Super Bowl championship back to our city.”
Tomlin has led the Steelers to a 103-57 record in 10 seasons and twice guided them to the Super Bowl, winning it in 2008.
He, Cowher and Chuck Noll all have at least 100 career wins, making the Steelers the only team in NFL history to have three head coaches reach that milestone.
Last season, he became just the eighth head coach in NFL history to reach 100 wins in his first 10 seasons.
Even though Bell couldn’t get a deal completed before the NFL deadline for players who had received the franchise tag last month, he was happy to see the Steelers had taken care of their head coach.
Bell has yet to report to training camp and sign his franchise tag offer sheet, which will pay him $12.12 million this season. That didn’t stop him from tweeting out a message to Tomlin.
“Congrats on the well deserved contract extension @CoachTomlin,” Bell posted on his Twitter feed.
Because of lightning, the Steelers were forced to leave the field and the stands were cleared during Friday night’s practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
After about a 15-minute delay, practice resumed before being cut short because of heavy rain.
“Sometimes we have to deal with the unforeseen,” Tomlin said. “We were forced to do so tonight.”
The Steelers will practice again 3 p.m. today at Saint Vincent College. The session is open to the public.
Wide receiver Martavis Bryant is still awaiting word regarding his reinstatement by the NFL after sitting out last season for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, but he might be getting closer to returning to practice.
Bryant took his pads with him on the bus ride from Saint Vincent College to Latrobe Memorial Stadium and told reporters he planned to practice.
But Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert talked to him prior to practice and Bryant handed his pads over to an equipment manager.
“He’s doing everything he can to cooperate with (the league office), as are we,” said Tomlin. “We’re just awaiting final word from those guys.”
Several veterans, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and center Maurkice Pouncey were given the night off.
Cornerback Artie Burns left the field early because of an undisclosed injury, though he later returned to watch the remainder of the session.
“It was a minor injury of some kind,” Tomlin said. “We’re not ready to call it anything significant.”