Cameron Heyward says discourse regarding Mike Tomlin’s future did him a ‘disservice’

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward made it clear Tuesday that he only wants to play for Mike Tomlin in 2024.

Heyward, the 13-year veteran, added that the discourse surrounding Tomlin’s future has done a “disservice to him.”

“I’m gonna say this about Mike T,” Heyward said, via the team’s website. “Why are we so concerned with somebody who has a year on their contract, has been locked in and just wants to coach football. We don’t ask anybody else if they need to come back for another year or if anything else. I just think it’s doing him a disservice. This guy has been locked in from the very get go. But yet, we’re worried about if he’s coming back or not.

“He’s been locked in, and I appreciate it. We just want to focus on one goal. He wants to focus on one goal. And I just think that’s fair. Everybody likes to talk about he might take a year off. He might do this. He’s only got one year, I just think, why would he answer a question like that? He’s worried about trying to win a playoff game. And then last night, we just lost a big playoff game. Why does it need to address it then? It’s not the time or the place. I appreciate the question, but I just think for him in general, Coach T has earned that to just be singularly focused on one goal. We’ve asked this question week in and week out. It’s just not fair to the process.”

Report: Mike Tomlin confirms he’s returning as Pittsburgh Steelers coach for 2024 season

Speculation that Tomlin could be fired or walk away from Pittsburgh has been rampant this season, even as he guided the Steelers to a 10-7 record and playoff appearance. Tomlin is 17-for-17 in going .500 or better in Pittsburgh, though he hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016.

Tomlin, who has a year remaining on his contract, walked out of his postgame press conference following Monday’s 31-17 AFC Wild Card Round defeat to the Buffalo Bills after a reporter began to ask a question about his job status. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Tomlin assured the team Tuesday that any speculation of him stepping away in 2024 is unfounded.

“In a team meeting today, Mike Tomlin told #Steelers players the speculation about him stepping away is unfounded and he plans on coaching the team in 2024, sources say,” Garafolo wrote on X. “Tomlin, who is entering the final year of his contract, is expected to address the media later this week.”