The 2024 regular season is rolling into Week 17. The next week of preparation for the Steelers is underway following another road loss, this time in Baltimore, as they prepare to host the Kansas City Chiefs on a short week on Christmas Day. With the typical Tomlin Tuesday moved all the way up to Sunday as they prepare to face the Chiefs, head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium to address in the media for our beloved Tomlin Tuesday yet on a Sunday. 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.

DeShon Elliott

Coach Tomlin was asked how much of what’s going on with the defense is a result of being stressed by these diverse, multiple explosive offense and how much is due to gap integrity, missed signs, etc. In his response, he mentioned the absence of DeShon Elliott.

“You know, it’s probably a combination of all the above. When you’ve got some quarterback mobility and some of these diverse attacks that you see, it stresses you. And in some instances, we’re playing some guys in some different spots because of the lack of DeShon Elliott, and that creates some complexities to already a complex discussion in terms of the gap integrity and the tackling and the communication around some of those attacks. But we should be better this time of year. I was really displeased with the two red zone touchdowns, for example, to the tight ends. It’s just too late in the year to have guys running open like that, to be quite honest with you, and so we’ve got some work to do this week in terms of shoring some of that up. Your ability to make people settle for field goals is significant this time of year, particularly when it’s good on good. Our inability to do that, coupled with the turnover and complimentary discussion that I opened this session up with, is the reason why the score was the way it was.”

Cory Trice Jr.

Coach Tomlin was asked what he’s seen from Cory Trice Jr.

“You know, Cory [Trice Jr.] has done a nice job in practice, and he did a nice job yesterday when given an opportunity to get back on the moving train, and he has done so earlier in the year, and soI expect more the same from him. In terms of competing against a guy like [Patrick] Mahomes, he’d better just focus on his fundamentals in his game. He doesn’t have enough of a resume to get preoccupied with what Mahomes is doing. He needs to focus on his game and his quality of play, his eyes, his techniques, his fundamentals, and I’m sure that he will.”

Patrick Queen

Coach Tomlin was asked about Patrick Queen saying the defense needs to trust each other in red zone situations.

“You know, I think that’s always the case when you’re missing some people, and we were missing some people yesterday. People trying to do too much, creating issues in terms of communication or lack of fluidity. We’ve just got to be on it. We’ve got to take care of our responsibilities and trust that others are doing the same.”

George Pickens

Coach Tomlin was asked if he anticipated George Pickens missing this much time.

“I did not.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he does get Pickens back, what his inclusion do for the offense and how it maybe changes things.

“I think it’s self-explanatory. He [George Pickens] is a splash playmaker. He’s a one-on-one playmaker. Oftentimes he controls schematics, which creates one-on-ones for others, or a light box regarding the run. But that’s what talented, outside people do. Not only George, but anybody that has talented outside people. [Xavier] Worthy will do some of the same things to us.”

Pat Freiermuth

Coach Tomlin was asked if he has seen more of an increased attention on Pat Freiermuth over the middle as a result of George Pickens being out.

“I think his lack of presence gives people a lot of options, whether or not they choose to focus it on [Pat] Freiermuth,or others or load the run box. It’s up to them in terms of their judgment.”

Coach Tomlin was asked targeting Pat Freiermuth more often.

“You know, he’s a capable guy. But again, we spread the ball around, and oftentimes where we throw the ball, or how we distribute the ball is dictated by some of the schematics of others, and I just think that that’s the strength of any collective. Like I was talking about with Kansas City, [Travis] Kelce probably doesn’t have the numbers that people are used to seeing him have, but they’re 14-1. He’s doing a lot of really good things without the football. He’s playing a well-rounded game, an unselfish game. He’s rubbing for people in man-to-man circumstances. He’s chipping his way out in one-dimensional passing circumstances. And so stats don’t oftentimes tell the story, and I think the same thing can be said for us and Freiermuth.”

Russell Wilson

Coach Tomlin was asked if he’s met with Russell Wilson this morning.

“I have not.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about how he expects Russell Wilson to respond this upcoming game.

“I expect him [Russell Wilson] to respond. He’s been doing this a long time, and he’s tough on himself because he’s got a desire to be great. He wants to lead us to victory, and he owns that. But I don’t expect it to be an issue in terms of the trajectory of his approach or readiness this week.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about if he wishes Russell Wilson wouldn’t have tried to score on the play that resulted in a fumble.

“You’re right. In retrospect, I wish he hadn’t.”

Jaylen Warren & Najee Harris

Coach Tomlin was asked about Jaylen Warren’s workload yesterday compared to Najee Harris.

“It probably was just the flow of the game. We had every intention of being inclusive and utilizing all our backs, not only yesterday, but because we’re on a short turnaround, and we’ve got a another game coming. And so we wanted to use all three guys, and really Jaylen [Warren] got a heck of a lot more than the others just based on kind of some game circumstances when he was in in the general flow of the game.”

Calvin Austin III

Coach Tomlin was asked about Calvin Austin III’s evolution and growth.

“Calvin [Austin III]’s evolution has nothing to do with the availability or the lack of availability of others. He’s just a guy that’s stepping forward with each and every opportunity. His experience is starting to show. He’s got a feel for the game. He’s competitive, he’s playing fast, and it’s reasonable to expect that to continue.”

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

Coach Tomlin speaks to the media ahead of our Week 17 game against the Chiefs. @PNCBank

📺: #KCvsPIT 12/25 at 1 PM ET on @Netflix https://t.co/b1GB2wF7Cl

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 22, 2024