MIKE TOMLIN | PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

If you’re among those aghast at the Steelers having the audacity to present Mike Tomlin with a three-year contract extension this week, and if you’re wondering, given such a transaction, whether they’re aware they haven’t won a playoff game in seven consecutive seasons under Tomlin’s stewardship, rest assured they are.

And they’re as upset about that as you are.

“It sucks,” outside linebacker T.J. Watt confirmed. “There’s no nice way of putting it, it just sucks.”

Watt had been more diplomatic but just as adamant a year ago when asked about the “drought,” as he called it, last June.

At that juncture it had been six years and counting without a playoff ‘W.’

“It’s not acceptable in any way,” Watt maintained then. “We’re playing football in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We’re supposed to be winning football games in January and February.

“You’re damn right we’re trying to do everything possible to fix that.”

They still are.

The team that closed out Mandatory Veteran Minicamp this week had just 13 players left from the 53 on the roster back on Jan. 16, 2022, when the Steelers were blown out of the postseason, 42-21, at Kansas City.

That number was 12 until cornerback Cam Sutton was re-signed last week.

Things have been changing for a while now.

Things continue to change.

There’s a (relatively) new general manager and (relatively) new assistant general manager.

There’s a new offensive coordinator this year and two high-profile new quarterbacks (for the second time in three seasons).

There are new scouts, new assistant coaches, a new strength coach, a new you-name-it.

Even the majority of the training camp practices have been switched from the traditional mid-afternoon time slot to 10:30 a.m.

If this “drought” lasts much longer, the next response might be to put the logo on both sides of the helmets.

The driving force behind the momentum with which the Steelers have continued to proceed since last January is unquestionably Steelers President Art Rooney II’s call for “urgency” in the wake of their playoff loss at Buffalo.

But they’re urgent for more than just a playoff victory, for something that once and for all ends the “drought.”

In announcing Tomlin’s extension, Rooney said via a statement released by the team that the move reflects “our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships.”

Perhaps that, more than anything, explains Rooney’s unshakable faith in a coach who has proven he can deliver the ultimate prize (although not lately).

Tomlin doubled-down in his accompanying statement, referencing the “ultimate goal of winning the franchise’s seventh Lombardi Trophy.”

For the Steelers, the “drought” dates back not to their last playoff victory (Jan. 15, 2017 at Kansas City), but to their last Super Bowl Championship (Feb. 1, 2009 over Arizona in Tampa).

Those games are getting harder to remember with each passing season.

Rooney, nevertheless, remains entrenched in Tomlin’s corner.

The national media and many who work in football as a profession seemingly view that as wholeheartedly appropriate.

Local reaction, conversely, seems sprinkled with equal parts outrage and disbelief.

For the record, I’m in favor of maintaining established, capable, energetic leadership at the top, particularly during a re-build such as the one the Steelers have undertaken.

“Commitment” was cited by Rooney as one of the qualities he most appreciates in Tomlin.

Still, it isn’t difficult to bring this subject up and subsequently wind up in a passionate argument.

Tomlin is tied for 12th on the NFL’s all-time coaching wins list and is one of seven active head coaches to have won a Super Bowl, but the “drought” has made him a polarizing figure.

He does not care.

But he’ll enter his 18th season convinced he can and should be better than ever this season.

“I’ve gotten better with experience,” Tomlin insisted. “It’s not always reflected in the outcome of games.”

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have that occur with more frequency this season, and this postseason.

The Steelers are running out of things to change.