Steelers coach Mike Tomlin walks off podium when asked about contract after wild-card loss to Bills

After the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Mike Tomlin refrained from addressing inquiries regarding his contract and future with the team during his postgame news conference. Tomlin walked off the podium when the subject was broached, leaving the status of his coaching tenure in question. The Steelers' season concluded with a 31-17 defeat, marking their fifth consecutive playoff loss. Speculation surrounding Tomlin's future intensified throughout the season, especially when the team was 7-7 and faced slim playoff chances. Initially, there were murmurs about the possibility of Tomlin not retaining his coaching position. However, the narrative shifted as the Steelers secured three consecutive wins to secure a playoff spot. Reports from Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and ESPN's Adam Schefter indicated that Tomlin plans to assess his future with the Steelers after discussing it with his family. Despite the Steelers expressing a desire for Tomlin's return, the situation remains uncertain as he enters the final season of his contract for the first time in his coaching career. As the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL following Bill Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots, Tomlin concluded his 17th season with the Steelers. The postgame news conference did not provide clarity on Tomlin's decision, leaving fans and the football community eagerly awaiting further developments this offseason.