Over his six seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Donte Jackson experienced six different head coaches. So, when news broke that his new team’s head coach had received a three-year contract extension just before his first mandatory practice, Jackson felt a deep appreciation.
“That was the main thing that attracted me to the Pittsburgh Steelers and made me fall in love with the team,” the veteran cornerback said on Tuesday.
“For someone like me, who felt unsettled every offseason, unsure of what was going to happen, it’s reassuring to see an organization that truly values its culture and continuity. It’s great to see and be a part of.”
Before the first practice session of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, players across the Steelers locker room expressed their gratitude for Coach Mike Tomlin. They specifically appreciated the stability his extended contract through 2027 provides.
Since 1969, the Steelers have had only three head coaches. “That consistency is invaluable,” said special teams captain Miles Killebrew. “It gives us a sense of security, knowing what to expect and how to prepare as we head into the fall.”
The Steelers announced on Monday that Tomlin has signed a three-year extension as he was about to start the last season of his current contract. It was widely expected that Tomlin wouldn’t enter the 2024 season in a “lame-duck” status.
If Tomlin, 52, completes this new contract, he will have coached the Steelers for 21 seasons. This would put him just two seasons shy of Chuck Noll’s 23-year tenure (1969-1991) and extend his lead over Bill Cowher’s 15-year term.
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth expressed his happiness for Tomlin, calling him the best coach he’s ever played for and crediting him as a significant factor in their victories. He praised Tomlin’s leadership and said the extension was well deserved.
Tomlin, already one of the highest-paid NFL coaches, likely moves further up the salary rankings with his new deal, especially with Bill Belichick not active in 2024. Over 17 seasons, Tomlin has a 173-100-2 record, no losing seasons, and eight playoff victories. The Steelers won the Super Bowl in 2008, another AFC title, and have claimed the AFC North division seven times under his leadership.
Jackson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Tomlin’s exceptional leadership and applauding the recognition and reward for his accomplishments.
