Steelers, Cowher Suspend Contract Talks
August 15th, 2006 by Michael StephensThe Pittsburgh Steelers and Head Coach Bill Cowher are no longer negotiating an extension to a contract that runs through 2007. The team announced that it has ceased talks so he can focus on coaching the returning Super Bowl champions.
The team, which has had just two coaches in its 38 NFL seasons, has long had a policy of not negotiating during a season, but wants to renew talks with Cowher once the season ends.
This is the first time since Cowher was hired in 1992 that he’ll enter a season with as few as two seasons remaining on his contract. He and the team had been discussing an extension since shortly after Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl in February.
“I remain optimistic and hopeful that we will be able to conclude a contract extension which will keep Bill coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers for many more years,” Steelers President Art Rooney II told ESPN.
“However, we have all agreed that at this time we will continue those conversations after this season so that Bill’s focus, and the focus of the entire organization can be on the excitement and challenge of defending the Super Bowl championship.”
