Steelers News: Why the Pittsburgh Steelers should definitely extend Mike Tomlin’s contract

With all of the Steelers’ 2019 offseason workouts in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan base has to suffer through the dog days of summer until the boys of fall return to the gridon. In the meantime, don’t think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over. As the team disperses for the summer, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until training camp!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at why the Pittsburgh Steelers definitely should be looking to extend Mike Tomlin’s contract sooner than later.

Let’s get to the news:

• It has been far too long since the Steelers have been in a Super Bowl, and fans are frustrated. Many want the team to make a change at head coach, but there are also those who think the Steelers should extend Mike Tomlin’s contract as soon as possible.

Analysis: The case for a Tomlin extension

By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports

Mike Tomlin’s salary situation is one that leaves few people sitting on the fence. People either think Tomlin is doing a good job or they think he’s long past his expiration date and should have been fired.

Fact is, however, it’s a multi-layered situation with Tomlin’s contract. As things currently stand, Tomlin has two years remaining on a deal that is paying him an estimated $7 million per year.

We estimate because NFL coaching salaries aren’t exactly public knowledge. Some contract information does leak out on occasion about coaching salaries, but unlike the players, whose salaries are governed by the salary cap, there is no ceiling on what a franchise can spend on its coaches.

That $7 million per year puts Tomlin seventh among NFL coaches in terms of compensation, behind Bill Belichick, Jon Gruden, Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, Ron Rivera and Andy Reid.

The Steelers have typically given their head coach a contract extension with two years remaining on his deal. Some would argue Tomlin isn’t deserving of that. But digging deeper shows Tomlin compares quite favorably with his coaching peers not named Belichick and, in fact, is deserving of an extension.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Some think Devin Bush, despite his elite speed and athleticism, is too small to play inside linebacker in the NFL. Obviously, Bush disagrees.

Tim Benz: Steelers’ Devin Bush insists he’s big enough for NFL

By: Time Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Steelers realized where offense was going in the NFL, even if they may have been guilty of trying to counter with the traditional 3-4 defensive sensibilities longer than they should’ve.

In at least one area, though, the team tried to keep up with the curve. They knew offenses were becoming pass-happy, especially against them and their usual stout run defense. That realization was even occurring toward the end of the Bill Cowher era.

They have been looking for athletic, sideline-to-sideline, pass-defending, three-down, speed-oriented inside linebackers for a while now.

They just can’t keep them healthy. First, it was Sean Spence in 2012, who was lost to catastrophic knee injury in his rookie preseason. Then it was Ryan Shazier’s spinal injury after he emerged as a Pro Bowler.

Now it’s Devin Bush’s turn to attempt to drag that position for the Steelers into the modern age.

To read the full article, click HERE

• 2019 is a crucial year for a pair of Pittsburgh Steelers defenders.

Steelers 2-a-days: Pivotal year for both Ola Adeniyi, Brian Allen

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

OLB OLA ADENIYI

Experience: 2nd season

Contract status: $575,000 cap hit in 2019, signed through 2020 season

2019 outlook: Said by some as a clone of James Harrison because of his size, style and MAC-alumnus status, Adeniyi might be one of the roster’s biggest sleepers. After a 2018 season as an undrafted rookie that was lost mostly to injury, the No. 4 OLB job (behind starters Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt and top backup Anthony Chickillo) in 2019 is seemingly Adeniyi’s to lose.

To read the full article, click HERE

• Speaking from experience, Alejandro Villanueva gives some advice to Mike Hilton.

Alejandro Villanueva on Mike Hilton: Betting on yourself usually works

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

Players in that position rarely wind up landing new deals, but Hilton doesn’t have to look far to find one that did. Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva got a four-year, $24 million deal in 2017 when he refused to sign his ERFA tender. Villanueva continued to work out with the team and has spoken to Hilton about his situation this offseason.

The nature of those talks hasn’t been disclosed, but Villanueva said, via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, that “betting on yourself, in this business, usually works.”

“You don’t want to have a guy in the locker room who’s not happy with his contract, especially when he has the backing of his teammates,” Villanueva said. “He’s been about it the right way. He’s shown up every single day, not making it a big deal. For that, he gets a lot of respect from all of us.”

To read the full article, click HERE

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