GM Kevin Colbert, Steelers Agree to 1-Year Contract Extension Through 2021

The Pittsburgh Steelers and general manager Kevin Colbert agreed to a one-year contract extension that will take him through the 2021 season, the team announced Wednesday.

"I am happy to announce we have extended Kevin Colbert's contract for an additional year," Steelers President Art Rooney II said. "Kevin continues to play a key role in our success and his dedication to our personnel efforts is unparalleled. We are pleased he will lead those efforts for at least one more year."

Colbert has been with the Steelers since 2000. He served as their director of football operations from 2000 to 2010 before taking over as general manager.

"It's hard to quantify how fortunate I am to have been part of this organization for the last 20 years," Colbert said. "I look forward to the challenge of getting our team back into playoff contention while never losing sight of our ultimate goal—winning a Super Bowl."

Colbert's extension puts his contract in line with coach Mike Tomlin's. While the deal could be seen as a vote of confidence, it's also likely a sign the Steelers expect to compete for a Super Bowl.

The Steelers have missed the postseason in back-to-back seasons. They haven't missed the playoffs in three straight years since 1998-2000 but have an uphill battle heading into 2020. Ben Roethlisberger will return from a season-ending elbow injury at age 38. The statuses of contemporaries Eli Manning (retired) and Philip Rivers (free agent with an uncertain future) make it all the more unlikely he ever returns to elite form.

The Steelers have also suffered the losses of receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell without capably replacing either with similar talent. JuJu Smith-Schuster struggled in his first season as the team's top wideout, and James Conner dealt with injuries throughout 2019, which included a lingering shoulder issue.

Colbert also dealt Pittsburgh's 2020 first-round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick during the season, so the avenue for improvement is limited. If Colbert and Tomlin don't find a way to turn things around, this could be the last run for both parties.