Roethlisberger backs Tomlin deal: 'He will go down as one of the greats'

Ben Roethlisberger lauded the Pittsburgh Steelers after they gave head coach Mike Tomlin a three-year extension Tuesday.

"I think he deserves to stay as long as he wants," Roethlisberger told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via text message. "I think stability is huge and underrated in this game. He will go down as one of the greats."

Tomlin's extension will tie him to the Steelers through the 2024 campaign. Roethlisberger has played the last 14 seasons under Tomlin after beginning his career with Bill Cowher at the helm.

Though he owns an impressive 145-78-1 record with Pittsburgh, Tomlin has garnered criticism for his team's performance in big games. The Steelers wilted last season after a hot start and finished their fourth consecutive campaign without a playoff victory.

"Mike is one of the most successful head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident in his leadership to continue to lead our team as we work to win another championship," Steelers president Art Rooney II said earlier in a statement to announce the extension.

Tomlin and Roethlisberger won Super Bowl XLIII together. They returned to the championship game two years later before falling to the Green Bay Packers.