Word that Steelers’ Coach Mike Tomlin is now signed through the 2024 season ignited the typical polarized Pittsburgh reaction. According to the fiery arguments among Steel City fans, Tomlin is either the best of coaches, or among the worst of them. If you focus on Tomlin’s gaudy regular season win percentage, he’s right up there with the NFL’s elite. Should you be among those who choose to dwell on Tomlin’s recent abysmal playoff performance, it’s another story: three wins in the last decade despite having a Hall of Fame quarterback in his prime. That’s never going to cut it in the City of Champions. Still, Tomlin’s new deal isn’t a misguided reward from Art Rooney II for this subpar playoff performance. Instead, it’s insurance the Steelers will be in steady, experienced hands as the franchise hits the turbulent waters of transition – the future beyond Big Ben Roethlisberger. Tomlin’s contract is confirmation the Steelers are rebuilding. It frees the franchise to do what’s best for its long-term future success -- not what’s needed to put a Band-Aid on 2021. Unquestionably, the biggest need is answering the question at the sport’s most important position – who will be the guy under center after Big Ben? If the Steelers believe that answer is in this draft, they now have the freedom to trade up to secure their future, whatever the cost. Will it happen? Much depends upon how the draft board falls. But make no mistake, the Steelers are looking to gear up for the long term, not reload for this year. Tomlin loves to say “the standard is the standard” – a Steelers team capable of winning it all. That’s what he and the Steelers are looking to build during the coming four years of his contract. The controversial coach has been given a black-and-golden opportunity to put another Lombardi where his mouth is – and prove a significant percentage of his haters in Pittsburgh wrong. Put up or shut up, Coach. Steelers Nation and the franchise’s very future are in your hands. 

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