The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting ready to head to Washington to face the Commanders on Sunday. Following their first practice of the week with an injury report on Wednesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin answered a few questions from the media. For this reason, 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, which was all this session consisted of.

Mike Williams & Preston Smith

Coach Tomlin was asked about how he envisions Mike Williams and Preston Smith fitting in.

“I think we’re going to determine that, and there are some variables in that equation. First and foremost, their ability to learn. You know, we’ve got to have an ‘above the line’ assignment component to our play and so that, and then,get the sense of what they’re physically capable of. So, we’ve got a few days to kind of sort of see something through some of those things this weekend. Sunday is not the end game. We acquired these guys to be with us for the remainder of this journey. And so that’s just my general mindset.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about what impressed him the most about Mike Williams and Preston Smith.

“Their resumes. They’re not unproven guys when they’ve got real NFL resumes, bodies of work. That’s always helpful.”

Just Mike Williams

Coach Tomlin was asked about what makes Mike Williams a great player.

“That’s to be discovered. I didn’t say that. And so, we’llget to know, we get to know his skill set, and we’ll figure those things out along the way.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he has any history with Mike Williams.

“I do not.”

Coach Tomlin was asked how far back his pursuit of Mike Williams goes.

“You know, I’m coaching week to week, trying to get this team ready to go, man. So I don’t have a lot of details in that regard, to be honest.”

Just Preston Smith

Coach Tomlin was asked about his pre-draft visit with Preston Smith.

“Man, that was a decade ago. I’ve had a lot of pre-draft visits since then. I’m sorry.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about the impact of having a guy with the resume that Preston Smith has.

“We’re just stacking our chips. This is an arms race. It’s highly competitive. As the road gets narrow, we better have capable
people, and obviously, 68.5ccareer sacks, he’s capable.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Preston Smith will play strictly outside linebacker.

“I think that’s to be discovered. I’ve seen him inside some in Green Bay in pass rushing circumstances, and so we don’t have
guard rails on it. It’s about getting to know him and seeing where it leads us.”

Coach Tomlin was asked how much it helps having experience in a 3-4 scheme.

“I don’t know that there’s much difference between 3-4 and 4-3 and in passing circumstances. They’re all 4-2 hybrid defenses in
2024 and so I don’t want to mislead you in terms of that. There’s very little adjustment in that regard.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about going into details about Preston Smith during meetings.

“I don’t necessarily share some of that stuff with you guys, man. That is my job to inform this group to get them prepared to play
people, particularly with those that have talent that can impact the game in particularly weighty moments, and so that’s just
me doing my job.”

Mike Williams & George Pickens

Coach Tomlin was asked about how much the ability of Mike Williams and George Pickens’ ability to stretch the field was a reason they made the trade.

“We’re getting to know his skill set, guys. So, I’ve made no presumptions about capabilities or how he fits in. We’re working and
we’re leaning in on this weekend in terms of some of the answers to some of those questions.”

At this time, there is no video available from this time with the media.