The 2023 regular season is heading into December. With the Steelers coming off a divional road win in which the offense moved the ball better than they have in several years, they now come home for an NFC game in which they are heavy favorites. As is usually the case, head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium on Tuesday to address in the media for Tomlin Tuesday. With plenty of questions asked by those in attendance, it is once again time for a players mentioned article. Remember these are players where a specific question was asked during the Q&A period.

Kenny Pickett & Pat Freiermuth

Coach Tomlin was asked if after looking at the film if he liked the way Kenny Pickett both attacked downfield and the accuracy with which he did so. In his answer, he credited Pat Freiermuth as one of the reasons.

“I did. I did. I saw some things that were encouraging from that perspective. But I also think, you know, Muth’s (Pat Freiermuth) presents and another complete week of work with him had a lot to do with it. Muth (Pat Freiermuth) did an awesome job in the interior portions of the field particularly versus zone and Kenny (Pickett) has a lot of confidence in him. And has had a lot of confidence in him. It’s good to have him back.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked about the launch points for Kenny Pickett and what he addressed going into the game last week to help the cause.

“You know, I just thought we were thoughtful and intentional about changing the launch points some on first and 10, P and 10. We started the second half with a screen, things of that nature. Just working to keep the defense off balance. Stay a step ahead.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked about Pat Freiermuth and the use of three tight ends this week.

“Well, we had it available to us. So, you know, when we got good players available to us, particularly as you mentioned the tight end components. A lot of that has to do with winning the line of scrimmage as we’ve been talking a lot about and creating that D and E gap, if you will, additional gaps that the defensive unit has to be responsible for. And so, tight ends are a way of getting that done.”

In another question, Coach Tomlin was asked about how the communication was between Coach Sullivan and Coach Faulkner with Kenny Pickett.

“I thought it was good. I think it’s reasonable to expect it to continue to improve and to be better. Just another week under our belt and another normal week that there’s such a thing. You know, last week we had Thanksgiving and some of that stuff. And so, I’m excited about it. I like where it is. We’re going to continue to work to get better and not only in terms of how we communicate, but things that we do logistically leading up to a performance. How we construct our day. How we present material. How we ready our group physically for the work, and particularly this time of year you work to reduce some of your on the field snaps in an effort to preserve the group. But you got to be thoughtful about what you choose to physically rep and what you choose not to. And so, we got some growth opportunities ahead of us on many fronts.”

T.J. Watt

Coach Tomlin was asked if T.J. Watt is a stabilizing force on the defense.

“Not only for the defense, but for our football team. It’s just a lot to learn from him in terms of how he goes about his business, how he works to maximize his talent level, what he does, the level of production. I mean, let’s be honest, like T.J. is the best defensive player on the planet right now and he proves that week in and week out with the plays that he delivers us. I get a bird’s eye view of it. I see the lengths that people go through to minimize his impact on the game. I know the type of games that we’ve been in, close ball games, and you know, how that at times minimizes a guy that plays his positions ability to impact the game. None of those things slow down the train that we all know is coming. And so, we’re just appreciative of it. Hopefully it’s something that the young guys can learn from. And it’s our job to continue to work to put him in position where his talents and his will and his preparedness shows.”

Najee Harris

Coach Tomlin was asked if there is a simple explanation for the number of 20-yard runs by Najee Harris this year as he currently has seven compared to only one all of last season.

“You know, he’s working to get better. We’re working to get better. I think it’s a reasonable expectation for guys to grow, man, particularly at the earlier stages of their career. Physical talent is just a component of play at every position. Knowledge, setting up blocks, moving second and third level defenders as you approach the last scrimmage. I just think that those are some of the nuances of the game and of the position that you don’t talk a lot about, but guys legitimately improve in those areas, particularly when young. And he works extremely hard at the game physically, mentally. And so, it’s reasonable to expect him to get better.”

Mykal Walker

Coach Tomlin was asked if he is happy with what he is seeing from Mykal Walker in the two opportunities he’s had so far and if they are keeping their options open at the position.

“I like what he’s done. I think it’s reasonable to expect him to continue to get better in terms of detail and knowing what to do. In terms of how he communicates. And so, I’m excited about this week’s work, but really appreciative of his efforts to this point. This challenge getting on a moving train, and he’s done a nice job of it.”

Damontae Kazee & Joey Porter Jr.

Coach Tomlin was asked what it has meant having a guy like Damontae Kazee in the secondary with all the injuries they’ve had at safety. In his answer, Coach Tomlin talked about the relationship between Kazee and Joey Porter Jr.

“Man, he’s been really good and been really steady. He’s a good communicator. He’s a veteran player. I like the relationship that he has with some of the younger guys like he and Joey Porter have an interesting relationship. Big brother, little brother, if you will. He gives Joey a hard time in all the right ways. Joey’s appreciative of his communication skills and his veteran approach, and you know, I think he’s just been really solid. I can’t say enough about him. Wish he had caught one or two of them balls he got a hand on last week but we’re working.”

Jaylen Warren & Diontae Johnson

Coach Tomlin was asked about what he saw in Jaylen Warren‘s fumble and Diontae Johnson’s reaction to it afterwards.

“You know, we got to take care of the ball. It is our desire. It’s how we construct victory. And so, Jaylen’s got to do a better job there. You know, Diontae can’t let the emotions of the previous down affect his next down. But I’ll give him an opportunity to address that with you guys. I’ll give him an opportunity to address that with his teammates. I’m not going to add any additional color. I think plays like that are best described in an outline by those involved and less so by guys like me. I keep my attention on challenging things, things that await us this week, schematic preparation for Arizona and the readiness of this group. It’s something that he needs to answer for. And so, I’ll give him an opportunity to do that. His teammates will give him an opportunity to do that. And I won’t provide any color until he does.”

Patrick Peterson & Allen Robinson

Coach Tomlin was asked about the older players working with some of the younger guys and if the fruits of that are seen at this time of year when so many of the young players are seeing snaps. In his response, he mentioned Patrick Peterson and Allen Robinson.

“You know, I just think that it’s a part of culture, man, that we value,and we work hard to build, and you don’t have to be a long-standing Steeler to be a participant in it. Pat Peterson has been awesome. He’s new to us, but he’s not new to the National Football League. And he’s an awesome example of a mentor to young players. Allen Robinson, another example of that new to us, but not new to the National Football League. I just think that those are just some of the ingredients of good teams. Veterans that’s been in this thing know that they’re going to need contributions from young people. If we’re doing our job, then there’s urgency in our young people in terms of learning, learning formally, learning informally, learning from coaches, learning from fellow players, whatever they can do to accelerate the growth process. And so, those are just some of the things that are ongoing this time of year,as the road gets narrow.”

Mike Tomlin’s complete press conference can be seen here:

Coach Tomlin addresses the media ahead of our Week 13 game against the Cardinals. @PNCBank

📺: #AZvsPIT 12/3 at 1 PM ET on CBS https://t.co/E46fnOzy0G

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 28, 2023