The 2023 regular season has come to a close, and for 14 teams it has moved into the postseason. With the Steelers getting their victory over the Ravens on Saturday followed by some help on Sunday, they are in the playoffs! With their Wild Card game set for 1 PM on Sunday, head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium on Tuesday to address the media. 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.

T.J Watt, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig, & Kyron Johnson

Coach Tomlin was asked how the Steelers depth is different at outside linebacker than in previous times where T.J. Watt was out due to injury. In his response, Coach Tomlin mentioned Markus Golden, Nick Herbig, and Kyron Johnson.

“You know, it hadn’t been a lot of times where I think about not having T.J. (Watt) to be quite honest with you. But we’ve got depth at that position. That’s why we went out and thoughtfully acquired Markus Golden. That’s why we drafted (Nick) Herbig. We’re as deep at that position as we’ve been in some time. We’re comfortable with the quality of depth. (Kyron) Johnson has had a helmet for the last number of weeks, although his contributions have been primarily on special teams. There’s another guy at the position that knows what to do that’s available to us. And so, we have an appropriate number of people. We have guys that are capable. We have guys that have been here. We have guys that know what to do. So, we’re going to utilize all of that.”

In a follow-up question, Coach Tomlin was asked if replacing Watt by a committee will also include more blitzing from the safeties who are returning to the lineup.

“It’ll be a mix of all of the above. As I mentioned, you got a few lines in the water when you’re trying to replace the impactof a guy like T.J. (Watt).”

In another question, coach Tomlin was asked what Nick Herbig has shown him, especially over the last three weeks, that shows he’s ready to step in and help out.

“You know, not a lot defensively. He’s just been a core special teams player, but it’s beyond the last three weeks. He works every day. He’s
gotten better over the course of the journey that is the season.”

Mason Rudolph

Coach Tomlin was asked about what stands out about the way Mason Rudolph has made the most of his opportunity.

“I’ve said this repeatedly when asked about him. He has unflappable confidence in himself. He’s highly professional. He’s always preparing
and prepared. And I think that that provides the platform for the performances that you’re that you’re seeing.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked about Rudolph going 18 of 20 on Saturday and throwing the ball well and what he has seen from his skillset that is shining through recently.

“He’s making good decisions. But he’s working hard from a preparation standpoint and that preparedness is showing. There’s a cumulative body of work to speak of. You know, Mason’s (Rudolph) been here a long time. And I think that’s a component of it and I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that component of it as well.”

Later, Coach Tomlin was asked if he has seen some of the guys on offense responding to what Rudolph has provided.

“You know, I’ll let them speak to that. I’ve got real tangible things to be concerned about. The strategic component of it. I’ll let them speak for themselves in that regard.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Rudolph’s ability to adapt in-game to what opponents have been doing against him.

“That’s just football. That happens each and every week through possession down play. You build your plan off the things that have transpired
earlier in possession down play or what have you. That’s occurring on both sides. That’s just football.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Rudolph‘s ball placement on the deep passes and how much that has led into the ability for the receivers to catch and run.

“You know, we’ve talked about that as well. You know, he’s got deep ball capabilities. It’s an asset to his game and that was one of the reasons why we went to him. And the last three weeks have just been evidence of some of the things that we’ve been talking about in here. I don’t know that the narrative changes at all. It’s just confirmation of some of the things that we’ve been talking about.”

Godwin Igwebuike

Coach Tomlin was asked how smart and instinctive the play by Godwin Igwebuike was on the kickoff in Baltimore.

“He did it and I’m thankful that he did it. But those are procedural things that we work all the time. We would’ve probably been hacked off had he not done it to be quite honest with you. Probably you get more attention when you don’t do it. Gunner (Olszewski) was in one of them circumstances earlier in the season and we were probably hacked off that he didn’t. It’s just, you know, procedural things that you go through in terms of preparedness that’s professional, and I credited him for being professional. But you guys act like he did a stupid human trick. He was just a professional.”

George Pickens

Coach Tomlin was asked about Mason Rudolph being proud of George Pickens’ maturity he was showing after the game and what he has seen out of Pickens with his growth in such a short timespan.

“I haven’t really been looking for it of late if that’s what you’re referring to. These are weighty moments. We got to play and play to win. He’s done that and we need more of that from him this week.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about teams taking away George Pickens like they did last week, if other guys have to step up, or if there’s something they can do to help Pickens out.

“You know, we’ve dealt with that a lot over the years having dynamic receivers. And when people make a commitment to minimize someone in that way, it creates big time opportunities for others. Whether it’s your yards per tote in the run game, or one on one opportunities at other places. And I think both were evident throughout the game and probably would have been more evident if it wasn’t for the weather circumstances. And so, that’s just football at this level. We don’t have any control over what others do. We have an opportunity to respond to it or anticipate it. That’s a tactic that’s not new to us or new to him. We’re pretty comfortable in dealing with it. And really probably some of the growth in the run game can be attributed to it. But that’s the collective that is team. People are going to load up to minimize our run game. It’s going to create one on one opportunities for receivers for example. And so, the strength is in the collective. We got to be balanced. We got to be capable of anticipating tactics that people might use and responding to tactics that people use, and we can and do, do both.”

Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren

Coach Tomlin was asked what it is about an Najee Harris that he’s able to come on as strong as he has the last couple of weeks.

“You know, he’s a big back. We value big backs here in Pittsburgh. The attrition component that is the season, the weather component, it’s just teed up for guys what skill sets like his.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked if the increased usage of Jaylen Warren has benefited Najee Harris later in the season.

“You know, I don’t know that it affects Najee (Harris) at all man. Najee (Harris) has a mindset, he’s going to be ready to play for us. He wants to be a significant component of what we do. He’s been in circumstances where he’s had a crowded backfield before. He played running back at Alabama. And so, I think, you know, things that go on regarding Jaylen (Warren) and his usage and things of that nature has very little effect on Naj (Najee Harris) and his mindset and his readiness and preparedness and what he’s willing and capable of doing for us.”

Patrick Peterson

Coach Tomlin was asked about if the logjam at safety will have Patrick Peterson moving back to cornerback.

“That’s an option. It hadn’t been an option in recent weeks, but it is an option this week.”

Isaac Seumalo

Coach Tomlin was asked about Isaac Seumalo being a no-nonsense type of player and how he thinks his personality has benefited the team and the offensive line unit.

“Again, I’ll let the team speak for that. I appreciate his availability, his professionalism, his preparedness, and then ultimately his play. He brings a no-nonsense blue-collar approach, man and when you in my position, you value guys like that, you know, you can count on him. And he’s definitively been that.”

Minkah Fitzpatrick & Damontae Kazee

Coach Tomlin was asked how does he balance infusing Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee back into the defense knowing that they went 3–0 without them.

“Thoughtfully.”

Kenny Pickett

Coach Tomlin was asked why Kenny Pickett and not Mason Rudolph is listed as the first quarterback on the Steelers depth chart.

“Would it make you feel better if I did? We’re going about our business cultivating a plan to win this week. We care less about division of labor in terms of what’s on pieces of paper and depth charts and so forth. And more strategically how we utilize the tools at our disposal in an effort to secure victory. I’ve been transparent with you guys. He’s got the hot hand. He’s going to maintain control of the ball. I don’t know why that is an issue to be quite honest with you.”

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

Coach Tomlin speaks to the media ahead of our Wild Card Round game against the Bills. @PNCBank

📺: #PITvsBUF 1/14 at 1 PM ET on CBS https://t.co/nRZ3cxfa40

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 9, 2024