Mike Tomlin drops big hint about Steelers’ mindset

Aug 30, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look quite different in 2024, and coach Mike Tomlin certainly thinks a lot of the new faces they have brought in have something in common.

The Steelers have a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith and two new quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Tomlin noted all three have seen their reputations diminished recently, as their former organizations gave up on them.

I asked Mike Tomlin how it’s been going with Arthur Smith and his two new QBs. His answer is A+.

“All three guys – to be really transparent – have something to prove professionally…it’s not fun to relocate or get fired. But as competitors, it always motivates in the right way.” pic.twitter.com/101UOIruaw

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) April 28, 2024

“All three guys, to be really transparent, are somewhat scalded. They got something to prove professionally,” Tomlin told Peter Schrager of NFL Network. “But we as a collective feel the same way. We have something to prove, and I just think that is a good frame of mind to be in as individuals and as a collective as we prepare ourselves for the 2024 season. It’s not fun to relocate or get fired or things of that nature. But as competitors, it always motivates us in the right way, and I’m excited about working with the men that you mentioned.”

Smith joined the Steelers after three seasons as Atlanta Falcons head coach, where he underwhelmed and was widely criticized for how he used some of his offensive weapons. Wilson’s Denver Broncos tenure was a disaster. Fields probably has the best reputation, simply because it was not necessarily his fault he was moved and he might not have necessarily been the problem in Chicago.

Tomlin clearly wants the team to have a chip on its collective shoulder. If the Steelers rebound, Tomlin will be praised for taking a chance on these guys. If they do not, people are just going to question why Tomlin brought in some also-rans to try to spark a turnaround for a franchise that has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.