NFL insider says Steelers’ Mike Tomlin now among highest paid coaches in NFL history after contract extension

"He wanted to be back, he wanted to be in Pittsburgh," Rapoport said of Tomlin on KOA Sports. "It's a great organization. Obviously the familiarity is good. But I think his sort of belief in the organization is really strong as well. He goes back, among the highest-paid coaches in NFL history. Which is not a surprise, I don't think. It's not just that because with money comes kind of his value to the organization. And I believe they compensated him well for that as well."

Now the reason that the actual details are "rumors" is because unlike player contracts, coaches and executives don't have their salaries publicly revealed. But for a coach that boasts his pedigree and his resume, it's safe to say Tomlin's raise places him within the top two to three of coaching salaries, which much like player contracts, reach historical values as the price only goes up. 

And when you hear what team owner and president Art Rooney II had to say about Coach T, it makes a lot of sense:

"Mike Tomlin's leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach," Steelers President Art Rooney II told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. "Extending his contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success."

One thing that has to be noted, whether it was Rooney or Tomlin himself, the lack of playoff success is obviously at the forefront of their minds and likely was the reasoning behind a three year extension opposed to one that's five or seven years in length.

"I am appreciative for this contract extension and thankful for Art Rooney II for his support during my first 17 years in Pittsburgh," said Tomlin. "We are continuing to work diligently to get back to where we belong – sustained playoff success with the ultimate goal of winning the franchise's seventh Lombardi Trophy."

Tomlin turned 52 in March.