One more key component of the Steelers' Super Bowl team is due a new contract this year, and it's likely to come with a large boost in salary.

Mike Tomlin, halfway through his rookie coaching contract with the team, will get an extension before the 2009 season begins, if the Steelers hold true to their history.

Tomlin has two years left on a four-year contract estimated at a total of $10 million that he signed when the Steelers hired him to succeed Bill Cowher in 2007.

His average salary of $2.5 million per year was typical of what first-time NFL head coaches received. That amount could double in his next contract, according to agents who have knowledge of NFL coaching contracts.

One noted that Carolina coach John Fox makes in the neighborhood of $5 million to $6 million and while one of his teams reached a Super Bowl, the Panthers did not win it. The Cleveland Browns signed now-departed coach Romeo Crennel to a two-year contract extension that averaged more than $4 million one year ago, when he had two years left on his first contract. Crennel's teams never made the playoffs.

As with linebacker James Harrison, also due for a big raise in pay, Tomlin has been a bargain the past two years. His first team overcame player dissent and a spate of injuries to win the AFC North Division championship at 10-6, although the Steelers lost their first playoff game.

They followed by winning the Super Bowl in Tomlin's second season, after two home playoff victories as the AFC's No. 2 seed. Tomlin, at 36, became the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl.

The Steelers never failed to sign Cowher to an extension with fewer than two years left on his existing contract until 2006, when the sides failed to reach agreement on a new deal. Cowher resigned at the end of the 2006 season with one year left on his contract.

Brian Levy, Tomlin's agent, could not be reached for comment nor could anyone from the Steelers.

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NOTES -- The Steelers announced the signing of 10 players to their offseason roster. Seven were on the practice squad last season: wide receiver Dallas Baker, center/guard Doug Legursky, cornerback Roy Lewis, safety Ryan Mundy, tight end Dezmond Sherrod, running back Justin Vincent and linebacker Donovan Woods. Three new players signed were running back Stefan Logan, wide receiver Brandon Williams and fullback Ryan Powdrell. Logan (5-7, 185) rushed for 889 yards and averaged 7.3 yards a carry with the CFL British Columbia Lions. He will be considered as a punt and kickoff returner. Williams (5-11, 170) played in 23 games with the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams in 2006 and '07 after the 49ers drafted him in the third round in '06 from Wisconsin. He, too, is a return man. Powdrell (5-11, 254) played at Southern California and spent time in training camp with the Green Bay Packers and one week on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad.