Steelers' Tomlin on team considering trading him – 'Save your time'

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin has a message for any team considering asking the Steelers about his availability in a potential trade.

“Save your time,” the head coach said at Tuesday's end-of-season press conference.

Tomlin's job status and future with the organization has been a hot topic of debate and consternation among fans after the Steelers made the playoffs once and for all for the fifth time in a row. Tomlin, who signed a three-year contract extension last offseason and just completed his 18th season at the helm, said he understands their frustration.

“I understand the nature of what we're doing and the attention and criticism that comes with it,” he said. “Actually, to be honest, I embrace it. I love what I do and the sense of urgency that comes with what we do.

“I'm not going to make excuses for failure. I own it, but I also feel like I'm capable, so as long as I get the chance to do that, I'm going to continue, but I certainly understand their frustration and probably more importantly, I Share it because that’s who I am.”

Tomlin expressed his disappointment with the way the season ended in his final press conference, but acknowledged that ending the season with a five-game skid to a 28-14 wild-card loss to the Ravens was “football justice.”

“Honestly, I don't think it's unfortunate,” Tomlin said. “Especially at this level of business and the game, there is football justice. You get what you deserve so we are here and we are here for real tangible reasons. We didn't engage in the right way. We Not playing the right chords at the right time, especially during stretches.”

Tomlin said there will be “changes” in the organization, but he didn't elaborate on specifics, saying postseason debriefing was in its infancy. On Monday, he met with players collectively and began individual exit meetings. He also met with owner Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan.

“Of course, changes happen when we don't achieve the results we expected, so those are just the realities of the business,” Tomlin said. “I imagine there's going to be some changes here on a lot of levels, but this is the game I'm referring to, so I understand that. I'm open to it and really just starting some of the process of decisions that have to be made.”

One of the potential changes is the makeup of the quarterback room. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields' contracts are both expiring and the team signed quarterback Skylar Thompson on Tuesday afternoon, Thompson's agency announced on social media. Thompson was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in 10 games for Miami and made three starts in two seasons, scoring one touchdown and three interceptions.

Wilson said Monday that “the plan” is to play in Pittsburgh in 2025, but he later acknowledged that he has not yet met with the Steelers to begin those discussions.

Tomlin said he believes both Wilson and Fields can help the Steelers take the next step and achieve what the organization wants to achieve.

“Their professionalism, their business attitude and their relationship with the game is an encouragement in that regard,” Tomlin said in explaining his belief.

Tomlin also said that if Wilson ultimately chooses to leave in free agency, he believes Fields, who has a 4-2 record in six starts to open the season, can be a 17-game starter.

“I think the way he manages a professional environment is really impressive,” Tomlin said. “I think he brings a sense of urgency to the day-to-day work regardless of his role. I think he continues to get better throughout our ball system throughout the process. I think the way he conducts himself makes this a legitimate thoughts or ideas at this juncture.”

Tomlin also didn't go out of his way to express hope and optimism for the future, although he said he didn't believe the team was in trouble despite six playoff losses in eight years.

“I'm definitely disappointed that I didn't work hard to prepare for this week's game,” he said. “I've certainly felt that in recent years, but it's a helpless feeling to be stuck, and I don't know that I feel helpless.”

He added: “I don't know if I'm ready to be overly optimistic or sell optimism to you. I'm just acknowledging what has happened, what is about to happen, what is starting to happen, and acknowledging the complexity and the volume of what we certainly Feeling empowered but definitely not feeling upbeat or selling optimism, I don't know if that's appropriate, so it's disappointing not to be working.”