PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he believes not all of his coaching staff’s contracts continue into the 2025 season, and that could be the impetus for change on the staff. Tomlin himself is under contract through the 2027 season, but his assistants could see significant change.

To Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't stuck. To be stuck, he said Tuesday, would insinuate the organization is helpless, and he doesn't feel that. So does that mean he's optimistic about the direction of the team after a fifth consecutive one-and-done postseason foray?

Is Tomlin holding the Steelers back? Is it the other way around? Could it be both? There's much more to this story than the obvious.