Mike Tomlin had great response to question about his big QB switch

Nov 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts before the Steelers play against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin came close to taking a victory lap on Sunday night after his decision to start Russell Wilson over Justin Fields paid off.

The Steelers entered their Week 7 game against the New York Jets with a 4-2 record, which is why many people thought Tomlin was crazy to make a quarterback change. Wilson then made his coach look like a genius by going 16/29 for 264 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions in a 37-15 win over the New York Jets.

After the game, former NFL wide receiver and current Showtime analyst Brandon Marshall asked Tomlin if benching Fields for Wilson was one of the coach’s “boldest decisions.” Tomlin had a great response.

“That’s why I’m well-compensated,” Tomlin said before exiting the room.

Brandon Marshall stops by the postgame presser and asks Mike Tomlin if it was one of his boldest decisions to start Russell Wilson.

Tomlin: “that’s why I’m well-compensated.” pic.twitter.com/fQ5bdMsOtA

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 21, 2024

Fields played well through the first six weeks of the season while Wilson was working his way back from a calf injury. Many believed Tomlin should have just stuck with the hot hand rather than messing with the mojo in Pittsburgh. The coach had to have felt validated when his team steamrolled the Jets and Wilson played well.

Some Steelers fans booed Wilson early in Sunday night’s game, which was another reminder that benching Fields was not the most popular decision. It also sounds like not everyone within the Steelers organization was on the same page with Tomlin, but the NFL’s longest-tenured head coach has earned the right to make those tough calls.