The 2024 regular season is rolling into Week 4! The next week of preparation for the Steelers as they face the Indianapolis Colts is underway with head coach Mike Tomlin taking to the podium to address in the media for our beloved 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.

Broderick Jones

Coach Tomlin was asked if Broderick Jones bounced back in suitable fashion.

“He did, but I’m not surprised by that. Broderick has a great deal of confidence in himself, particularly for a young guy. The performance was what it was in Denver, he didn’t make excuses or seek comfort. He simply acknowledged it and went back to work. I think when you take that approach, you really tee yourself up for the appropriate bounce back, and he did.”

Jaylen Warren

Coach Tomlin was asked if Jaylen Warren‘s injury is related to the hamstring issue he had in the preseason.

“No, it’s not. He was limping in-game. In the latter part of the game I kind of noticed it, and I pulled him from the game because I know Jaylen’s tough. He’s just going to go. And so we’ll see where his availability is as we work this week. I’d imagine he would be somewhat limited tomorrow. And we’ll see the trajectory of it in terms of including him or no in planning.”

Justin Fields

Coach Tomlin was asked why he has not named Justin Fields the starting quarterback going forward and what more he needs to see from him.

“Because there’s no need. I explained to you the variables of the week. It has not changed. He’s going to walk in this building with that mindset tomorrow. So really there’s no need to. Sometimes in this business there’s a myriad of complex decisions that need to be made. I’ve learned to make them when it’s appropriate. And it’s not necessary as we sit here right now. When Russ gets to an appropriate point of health and we have a decision to make, I’ll make it and I’ll announce it and I’ll be really transparent about it. But until then, I don’t care how many ways you guys ask me, you know, I got no intentions of making the decision that’s unnecessary at this juncture.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Fields has showed him some things that changed where he could fall on the depth chart.

“No question Justin [Fields] has played well. And that’s exciting for him and for us. But I’m not surprised by that. And I hadn’t looked at it in terms of the decision-making because it’s not time yet.”

Coach Tomlin was asked what it is that he likes the most about Justin Fields.

“As I mentioned here repeatedly, I like his steady demeanor. I like that in a leader. He doesn’t ride the emotional roller coaster when things are going good or things are going bad. Guys can rally around that. He’s steady. He’s a competitor. He likes to compete. He doesn’t turn down things. He’s aggressive in play, scrambling and so forth. It’s just been fun to get to know him and not only know him as a guy but know him as a competitor.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if some of the precision throws Fields made on Sunday was something that he saw when evaluating him in college or something that he has improved since getting to the NFL.

“Very much so is something that we saw in draft prep dating back to his days in Columbus. That’s often the case with us. Our interest in people in terms of pro personnel oftentimes can be traced back to draft evals. And that was a component of his game that was really impressive in Columbus, certainly.”

Coach Tomlin was asked what areas he would like to see Justin Fields improve.

“I want to see him improve in all areas, to be quite honest with you. Knowing what those areas of needing improvement are, are difficult sometimes when you don’t have a shared experience. So a component of me getting to know him is just maintaining that posture, challenging him to improve in all areas, and as we gain more experience together, I’ll be able to narrow that focus on things that become repetitive or trending.”

Russell Wilson

Coach Tomlin was asked what the appropriate point is health-wise for Russell Wilson for them to have to make a decision at quarterback.

“We’ll know when we get there. He’ll not only be healthy in terms of keeping himself safe but be healthy in terms of being productive and doing the things he needs to do and we need him to do.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Russell Wilson’s résumé is such that the concerns aren’t as much for him to jump onto a moving train.

“Yes.”

Coach Tomlin was asked at what point does the train get moving too fast for a player like Russell Wilson to catch up.

“I don’t know. We’ll know when we get there.”

Cordarrelle Patterson & Connor Heyward

Coach Tomlin was asked if the flexibility Cordarrelle Patterson gives is unique for an offensive skill player. In his response, Coach Tomlin also mentioned Connor Heyward.

“It is unique, but it’s something we covet all the time. And I have a lot of respect for ‘C.P’ [Cordarrelle Patterson]and his talents. We had intended to utilize him in both. It wasn’t a reactionary plan. We only went into the game with four receivers because we had a plan for him to play both positions in-game. That speaks to his talents. Not only his talents, but his football intellect to be able to carry a menu like that. He’s exciting in that way, but Connor Heyward is another offensive guy that plays tight end and running back-like things. I think anytime you’ve got guys with position flexibility with fluidity in terms of the things they can do, it makes it challenging to defend. So hopefully that keeps growing.”

Spencer Anderson, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, & Troy Fautanu

Coach Tomlin was asked if the decision to rotate Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick was done pregame or was it performance based in-game.

“It was all done last week in preparation.”

Coach Tomlin was asked what Mason McCormick has shown to garner rotational snaps at left guard. In his response, he also mentioned Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu.

“He’s a talented young guy. He’s done a nice job in team development. He’s had a lot of success in college. No stage is too big for him. He’s not a blinker. He runs to the action. I like the ‘finish mentality’ in his play. I think it’s contagious. I think all of our guys, young guys, have that finish trait. I think that’s why we were so excited about that collective, talking about he and Troy [Fautanu]and Zach Frazier. They’ve got that finishing trait that’s able to form the makeup of the personality of the collective as they grow older together.”

Coach Tomlin was asked how long Troy Fautanu will be out.

“He’s out this week. I hadn’t looked at the clarity component of it. I meet with the docs tomorrow afternoon post-practice.”

Chris Boswell

Coach Tomlin was asked if he believes time would run out when he sent out Chris Boswell to attempt a 62-yard field goal with six seconds left.

“I didn’t care. I sent him out there because I thought he was going to make it, to be quite honest with you. Most times, field goals usually take anywhere from 3 to 5 seconds, but I was less concerned about that component of it. I was more concerned about potentially getting three points because I’ve just got that level of confidence in Chris Boswell.”

DeMarvin Leal

Coach Tomlin was asked what he has seen from DeMarvin Leal at the edge and if he will be the third option there.

“He’s been working both spots anyway. Speaking of positional flexibility, [DeMarvin] Leal, throughout team development, has been playing outside linebacker and defensive line. He did some last year so it’s not anything new for him. Really I don’t view that as a significant issue in terms of him elevating and getting more opportunity. It’s more of the same really. It’s probably more of what he desires to do because he definitively wants to play. This guy’s had a good team development process. And I’m excited about what he’s going to do with increased opportunities just as much as I am that Herbig did with his.”

Nick Herbig

Coach Tomlin was asked how much he has seen Nick Herbig grow since he has got in the building.

“You know, that’s been really consistent since he’s been here. He’s hardworking and humble, and I really think that tees up performance for him. But he also has ridiculous belief in self. And that’s attractive to coaches. That’s attractive to older players. He’s not a guy that’s ever scared.”

Roman Wilson & Dean Lowry

Coach Tomlin was asked what Roman Wilson has to show in order to get a helmet this week. In his response, Coach Tomlin also mentioned Dean Lowry.

“He has to keep working. It’s very difficult to get on a moving train. All you have to do is look at Dean Lowry, for example. There’s a veteran guy that missed a substantial amount of training camp and it was a third game before he got a hat. Although he’s been healthy for three weeks. So, that gets multiplied when you’re talking about a guy that has no NFL experience like Roman. So, my advice to Roman is to keep working and take that opportunity when that door is left ajar and be ready when it is.”

Patrick Queen

Coach Tomlin was asked if a new player such as Patrick Queen has an adjustment in terms of assimilating into the defense and with the players around him.

“No question. Pat Queen is our defensive quarterback. Man, he has just as much of my energy as Justin and Russ. It was a challenge in the offseason from a coach’s perspective getting quarterbacks solid on both sides of the ball. But the men that they are has made it a fun and rewarding process too. They love football. They’re articulate. They can speak it. They think fast on their feet. They’re adaptable. They can adjust. I’m talking about the quarterbacks and Pat. It’s been really fun. I’m excited about having him.”

Najee Harris

Coach Tomlin was asked if there are any limitations on Najee Harris due to injury and what he liked about the running backs that are on the practice squad.

“No limitations in ‘Naj’ [Najee Harris]. ‘Naj’ will be ready to rock and roll, so that probably makes the second part of the question less relevant.”

Cam Heyward

Coach Tomlin was asked if Sunday was indicative of why Cam Heyward can age well playing up front.

“I don’t think anybody is surprised by what Cam [Heyward] did last Sunday or what Cam has done. His talents are his talents. His commitment and approach to work are equally as impressive. His leadership is as well in this building, in the community. He’s a Walter Payton Man of the Year. I mean, it’s Cam Heyward.”

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

Coach Tomlin speaks to the media ahead of our Week 4 game against the Colts. @PNCBank

📺: #PITvsIND 9/29 at 1 PM ET on CBS https://t.co/6qPs7uH7KU

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 24, 2024