Tomlin signed a contract extension with the Steelers after the 2023 season and will be starting his 19th come September, making him the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL.

Tomline was the target of a lot of criticism from fans and Pittsburgh media alike following the team’s 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. The loss marked the Steelers’ fifth consecutive postseason appearance without a win, fourth of the past five years.

“I understand the nature of what it is that we do, the attention and criticism that comes with it,” said Tomlin. “As a matter of fact … I embrace it, to be quite honest with you. I enjoy the urgency that comes with what I do and what we do.

“I don’t make excuses for failure. I own it, but I also feel like I’m capable, and so as long as I’m afforded an opportunity to do that, I will continue, but I certainly understand their frustrations and probably more importantly than that, I share it because that’s how I’m wired.”

The 2016 Wild Card and Divisional rounds were the last time Pittsburgh won in the playoffs. They’ve also won just a single AFC North title (2020) in the past seven years.

“Particularly at this level in this business and game, there’s football justice. You get what you deserve, and so we are here and we’re here for really tangible reasons,” said Tomlin addressing who is possibly at fault for this year’s shortcomings. “We didn’t evolve in the right ways. We didn’t strike the right chords at the right time, particularly down the stretch (of the season).”