The 2024 offseason is rolling on! After the flurry of free agent moves over the last two weeks, the NFL league meetings in Orlando, Florida are taking place this week one month ahead of the NFL draft. Not hearing from Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin since his year-end press conference in January, Tomlin spoke to the media to answer questions at the coach’s breakfast on Monday morning. With plenty of questions asked by those in attendance, it is once again time for a players mentioned article. Remember these are current members of the Pittsburgh Steelers where a specific question was asked during the Q&A period.

Russell Wilson & Justin Fields

Coach Tomlin was asked about acquiring Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

“You know, when the free agency process began, we only had one quarterback on our roster. And so, we were looking at every available person on the market, every potentially available person on the market. And so, it was just part of our process. Obviously, when we got into it, and after he got permission to talk to other teams from Denver, the conversations were very fluid and natural. He did his appropriate research on us, and I think that’s probably one of the more impressive things about the process from my perspective. His level of preparedness in terms of knowing us and who we are and how he might potentially fit. Just really put at ease over the process. Obviously, you know, we anticipated it kind of being a competitive market. I think he went to New York prior to coming to our place. And so, we’re pleased that it was able to come together, but how it was initiated was just in a very routine way in terms of us acknowledging we only had one guy position and scouring everyone in the market. I think that’s another component of the discussion as well. We did our due diligence and looked at all possibles in the market. And I think that’s probably what led us to discussions and interactions with Chicago and thus ended up with both guys.”

In a follow-up question, Coach Tomlin was asked about pivoting from Kenny Pickett to Justin Fields and what he expects Fields to bring to the team.

“Yeah, you know, in the days following our acquisition, Russell (Wilson) and Kenny expressed a desire for a change of scenery. As I mentioned, we had been in pretty fluid communication with Chicago after we got a sense of what direction that was going. Then the dominoes started to fall, and we did the transactions necessary to kind of send Kenny to Philly and acquire Justin. We’re excited about the guys that we have. Russell and Justin, man, and just really can’t wait to get started.”

For the next question, Coach Tomlin was asked about what all he has seen on film with Justin Fields that gave him the confidence that he still has more to give.

“Oh my gosh, man, he used his talent and potential. He’s worn the responsibility of being a franchise quarterback but still he gets an opportunity to come into a community like situation and learn from the guy that’s been doing it for over a decade. Man, there’s a lot of meat left on that bone. I’m just excited about working to be a part of the extracted.”

Coach Tomlin was then asked if he would like to have Fields sit and learn this year or if he is in a competition.

“No, we’re not resistant to competition. But as I’ve mentioned several times of late. I just think it’s appropriate to establish positioning as we get into this thing and the term that I’ve used is Russell (Wilson) has pole position, and why do I use that term? Because during this time where we are not formally working man, I just think it’s beneficial. His experience in the National Football League, his process has been honed and perfected. Talking about over a 12-month calendar. It’s not only good for him, it’s good for the team, receivers, tight ends, running backs, etc. All the things that people that are really committed to winning do this time of year. Russell has those resources man, that structure. And so, that’s why I say he has pole position. It just creates a synergy that I think is good for this time of year. When it’s time to compete, we get in training camp like settings and going to preseason stadiums and so forth, obviously Justin will be given an opportunity to show his capability.”

Coach Tomlin was then asked if, based on the film, he feels like the Bears put Fields in the best position to succeed.

“I’m not judging anything that was done in Chicago. That’s not my business. I just look at the pedigree of talent, the things that are not relative to coaching.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked about what they can do to help Fields reach his potential.

“I haven’t met him yet. In a professional setting. So, we’ll handle all of those things in a very natural way. We’re excited about having him.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked what attracted Russell Wilson to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“You know, just his approach to business. How he lives his life, how he lives his professional life. I said yesterday, it is probably the best way to describe, Russell is not a guy that’s hungry, hunger is something that can be satisfied. He’s a guy that’s driven. He’s on a quest to be the very best that he could be. To shape his career up to a vision that he has and that resonated with me.”

Coach Tomlin was that asked if Russell Wilson can get back to the player he was in Seattle.

“I probably don’t have a really big frame of reference from Seattle because I just didn’t see a lot of him being on an NFC group, but I don’t have any concerns about his capabilities if that’s what you’re asking or deterioration of those.”

in a follow-up question, Coach Tomlin was asked about Wilson’s time in Denver.

“Denver’s a different environment than Seattle. You know, I care less about what transpired to be quite honest with you. I’m excited about what awaits us. We’re not going to spend a whole lot of time looking in our rear-view mirror. We’re going to look through our windshield and keep it moving.”

Coach Tomlin was then asked about having a quarterback competition.

“There’s going to be opportunity for competition as I outlined in great detail. I just think it’s appropriate for this time of year to establish a pecking order for fluidity of the process of the collective.”

Patrick Queen

Coach Tomlin was asked about the signing of Patrick Queen and what it does for the Steelers defense.

“I’m excited about having Pat. Pat’s a unique guy in that he has both youth and experience. This guy’s been in the league for years, hadn’t missed a game. And he’s 24 and a half years old. And so, obviously, we’re extremely familiar with him and his skill set and talent level. Excited about it, he’s an all-situations guy. He’s good versus run. He’s good in coverage, he’s a good blitzer. We’re just really excited about having a guy of his caliber that brings that unique combination of youth and experience.”

Cam Heyward & Minkah Fitzpatrick

Coach Tomlin was asked about how tough it was for Cam Heyward to deal with injuries last season. In his response, Coach Tomlin also mentioned Minkah Fitzpatrick.

“Injuries are a component of what we do. You always hate it individually and collectively, but you’re acknowledged at times it’s a component of the game. He dealt with it like the professional that he is and as did Minkah (Fitzpatrick). You know, we had several guys, significant guys miss chunks of time due to injury that’s just football. It’s not exclusive to us.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked if Heyward‘s injury will limit him during offseason workouts.

“I’m not anticipating it to be a factor by the time we get to training camp. I haven’t even asked about the offseason. Not overly concerned about it, to be honest with you in terms of his availability.”

Coach Tomlin was later asked if something needs to change to get Fitzpatrick into more positions to be able to make more of an impact.

“I don’t. To me, it’s about availability. If he’s available, he’s going to be Minkah.”

Cam Johnston

Coach Tomlin was asked what attracted him to sign in cam Johnston.

“A lot of things man, his body of work since he’s been in the NFL. His ability to kick in less-than-ideal circumstances. We have a lot of information and tools at our disposal in today’s advanced analytics world and you know just about every situation or direction that we look at it from he was the belle of the ball in terms of the market and we’re glad to have him.”

DeShon Elliott

Coach Tomlin was asked where he has envisioned Deshon Elliott‘s role for this season.

“I think that’s to be determined but obviously I’m really excited that he’s here. He’s a really good tackler. He’s a really good communicator. He has some natural traits that I think really make you excited about adding to your defense from a safety perspective. He’s not a newbie by any stretch. He’s been in the league. We’re familiar with him. He’s familiar with us and I just think that man, that makes me really excited.”

Najee Harris

Coach Tomlin was asked if Najee Harris’ fifth-year option has been discussed.

“It has not, but obviously, Najee’s been consistent since he’s been with us. I think I saw a statistic about his three, 1000-yard seasons being in rare company and I just think that that illustrates how he’s been for us.”

Joey Porter Jr. & Donte Jackson

Coach Tomlin was asked how confident he is in his top two cornerbacks being Joey Porter Jr. coming off his rookie season and Donte Jackson coming in from Carolina.

“Very confident.”

Mike Tomlin’s full interview with the media on Monday can be seen at Steelers.com