Breaking News :they don’t want him back 😟

Mike Tomlin has ended speculation about his situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

During his season-ending press conference on Thursday, the coach shot down reports that he might take a year away from coaching in 2024. Tomlin will be entering his 18th season, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL with the same team after Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots recently parted ways following 24 years.

Tomlin’s contract expires after the 2024 season. Tomlin has never entered a season in the final year of his contract but says he is confident he and team president Art Rooney II will work things out.

“Yes, I expect to be back,” Tomlin said. “I’d imagine those contract things are going to run their course. Art and I have a really good, transparent relationship. We communicate continually. I don’t imagine it’s going to be an issue and I imagine it’s going to get done in a timely manner at the appropriate time. My mindset is to coach this football team, certainly.”

The Steelers had a rocky season that ended Monday when they lost to the Buffalo Bills 31-17 in an AFC wild-card playoff game in Orchard Park, N.Y.

The Steelers’ final record was 10-8. They had to win their last three regular-season games to reach the postseason after three straight losses, including back-to-back defeats to the lowly Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots at home, dropped them to 7-7 following a 7-4 start.

The Steelers will have a new offensive coordinator next season. Tomlin said Tuesday that interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulker, elevated from running backs coach to replace the fired Matt Canada on Nov. 21, will not return in that role.

The Steelers were 28th in the league in points scored and 25th in total offense during the regular season.

“I want us to be versatile and dynamic,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, we’ve got to score more points. I want to be able to keep defenses off balance. I want to utilize all the talent that we have at our disposal. I’m excited about this process and in the talent pool out there and based on what I’ve seen thus far.

“I’m really open to learning through this process and seeing what people have to say about their visions, and so I certainly have a vision of what it looks like but I’m open to learning through this process.”

The new offensive coordinator will have to sort out the Steelers’ quarterback situation.

Kenny Pickett was listed first on the depth chart going into the playoffs. However, Mason Rudolph started the final three games of the regular season and then against the Bills.

Pickett injured an ankle against the Patriots on Dec. 7 and underwent surgery. He was cleared to play in the regular-season finale on Jan. 6 against the Ravens in Baltimore but did not see action. Pickett also stayed on the sidelines in the playoff game.

Tomlin said Pickett will enter training camp as QB1 but will face competition during the exhibition season.

However, Rudolph might not be part of the competition. The veteran will enter free agency for the second straight offseason after spending his entire six-year career with the Steelers.

The Steelers were the only team that offered Rudolph a contract last offseason and only to be the third-string quarterback behind Pickett and veteran Mitch Trubisky. Rudolph likely raised his value with the strong finish to the past season.

While Trubisky has one year left on his contract, he seems like a candidate to be released. He started the first two games following Pickett’s injury then was benched for Rudolph.

The Steelers will almost certainly look to add at least one quarterback either in free agency or the NFL Draft.

“There will be competition there,” Tomlin said. “There’s always competition in this thing. We don’t anoint anyone. I’m appreciative of his efforts and where he is and excited about continuing to work with him. But certainly, he will be challenged from a competition perspective. Moving forward. competition brings the best out in all of us.”

Pickett was the Steelers’ first-round draft pick in 2022 from the University of Pittsburgh. In his second pro season, he completed 62% of his passes for 2,070 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games.

Trubisky appeared in five games and had a 62.6 completion percentage while throwing for 632 yards and four TDs. He was intercepted five times.

Rudolph completed 74.3% of his attempts in four regular-season games, finishing with three touchdowns and no picks. Against the Bills, he was 22-of-39 passing for 229 yards with two TDs and one INT.