Prior to the Steelers’ game in Buffalo on Monday, head coach Mike Tomlin’s future was a topic of discussion. It was also brought up at his news conference following the Steelers’ season-ending 31-17 loss to the Bills.

Tomlin departed the podium without saying anything further, and he has one year remaining on his Steelers contract. Since Tomlin has reached that stage without getting a contract from the organization for the first time, rumors regarding his potential exit after 17 seasons in Pittsburgh have been allowed to flourish.

Cameron Heyward, a defensive lineman, has played in 13 of those seasons and has been thinking about his own playing career. While he stated on Monday that he wants to play “in my heart,” he also confessed that it is becoming more difficult for him to return to the field due to growing aches and pains. Additionally, he said that if Tomlin wasn’t the one on the sidelines, things would be much harder.

Heyward stated on the team website that “without Mike T, every player wouldn’t be anything.” “Without Mike T., this team could not possibly make it to the playoffs. I wouldn’t want to play for another coach because he holds us all of us accountable.

According to PFT, the Steelers are willing to give coach Mike Tomlin an extension, but they are still waiting for him to officially announce that he will be staying in Pittsburgh for a little bit longer.