Steelers News: Some minority owners reportedly didn’t want Mike Tomlin getting an extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron this week when they reported back to training camp. With practices underway, the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team returns from their summer break, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until training camp starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how it is being reported some of the minority owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers were against Mike Tomlin receiving an extension, even a one-year extension.

Let’s get to the news:

• There are a lot of people who aren’t fond of Mike Tomlin. Many feel he has done very little with a lot of talent. Some of those people reportedly are the minority owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Report: Some Steelers minority owners didn’t want to extend Mike Tomlin

By: Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk

The Steelers’ minority owners periodically huff and puff, but they lack the ability to blow anyone’s house down.

As it relates to the recent contract extension given to coach Mike Tomlin, Ed Bouchette of TheAthletic.com reports that some were opposed to it.

Owner Art Rooney II nevertheless extended Tomlin through 2021, with a team option for 2022. It means that Tomlin would have a two-year buyout, if the Steelers were to decide after the season to make a change.

It’s not the first time that members of minority ownership have made their voices heard regarding Tomlin. In early 2018, PFT reported that some of the minority owners wanted Rooney to fire Tomlin after a disappointing playoff exit capping a season in which questions were raised about flaws with discipline and situational football.

The fact that the minority owners didn’t want Tomlin to get an extension obviously didn’t prevent it from happening. As Bouchette observed in response to our report regarding the push to get Tomlin fired, Rooney will not be listening to what folks with no actual power over the organization have to say, even if they technically own a piece of it.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Some like job security. Others find it fun not to know what lies in store. You can count Bud Dupree into the latter group.

Bud Dupree: It’s fun to play out final year of contract

By: Josh Alper, ProFootballTalk

There was some question heading into the offseason about whether the Steelers would pull their option on linebacker Bud Dupree‘s contract for the 2019 season, but they ultimately decided to let Dupree play out the year with a $9.2 million salary.

A contract extension remains a possibility, although General Manager Kevin Colbert suggested that the team will wait to see if Dupree can continue turning “effort into more production” this year before making any long-term decisions. Some might feel pressured to be in that situation, but Dupree said that he finds it “fun” to have a chance to prove himself this year.

“For one year, I’m going to go out and do my thing,” Dupree said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I’m going to prove [myself]. I’m going to help the team and not be selfish. Even though it is a contract year, I can’t be selfish. I have to make sure I am doing stuff that’s beneficial toward the unit as a whole and keep my hair on fire and keep playing to the best of my ability for the team, not only for myself. I’m out here, so it is what it is. I’m going to play my best. I’m going to do my best for them, and whatever happens happens.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Sometimes it is good to hear a feel good story. This one is about Jaylen Samuels.

Learning the ropes at running back

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

As they went through the drills during the Steelers Women’s Training Camp this past weekend, Sherrie Samuels had to smile. Especially when it came to the running back drills.

Sure, she knew the basics. Tuck the ball in and hold it high and tight.

There were other things she learned though, things that gave her insight into what her son does on a daily basis.

Sherrie Samuels is the proud mom of Steelers’ running back Jaylen Samuels. She, along with his father Greg, has been a regular at training camp since he was drafted by the Steelers in 2018, and when she learned about the women’s camp, she thought it would be the perfect thing to do this year.

“I saw the video last year of the women’s camp and thought it looked like fun,” said Sherrie. “I thought it would give me a little more knowledge of exactly what they do. I come from football. Husband, sons, all of that. But to be here and do a drill and see exactly what goes on is different.

“I did the four different stations. The running backs station was the best. I knew some things, the tuck and the high and tight. It was fun to do it and go through the drills. The running back position is a very important position.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Watch Benny Snell Jr. go up the middle vs. the Steelers top defense

• Watch Mark Barron lay the boom on Christian Scotland-Williamson

• Social Media Madness