Insider thinks Steelers will extend Mike Tomlin 'before the season'

While some believe Mike Tomlin is one of the best head coaches in the NFL, others think he should be on the hot seat as the Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. However, one insider says a contract extension is nearing for Tomlin anyway.

"There is everything to suggest Art Rooney is happy with Mike Tomlin, that he likes the direction of the young team. I would imagine [an extension] happens at some point before the season," Steelers beat writer Ray Fittipaldo says.

It may come as a surprise after president and CEO Art Rooney II was noncommittal on Tomlin, who is entering the final year of his three-year contract, following the 2022 season.

"I don't like to speculate on our coach's contract," Rooney II said. "So, we will see."

However, it's hard to argue against Tomlin's NFL record for the most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a coaching career (16). He also has the 16th-most wins (163) and 22nd-best win percentage (.636) by a head coach in NFL history.

Tomlin always seems to have Pittsburgh in contention by the end of the season, which is something not a lot of teams can say. 

His true test, life without Ben Roethlisberger, has already begun. If he can deliver his second Super Bowl championship with another starting quarterback, he will have certainly earned another contract extension.

However, it seems Rooney II has already seen enough from Tomlin to feel comfortable giving him another extension before the 2023 season.