The 2024 regular season is rolling into Week 3! The next week of preparation for the Steelers as they face the Los Angeles Chatgers 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 & Troy Fautanu

Coach Tomlin was asked what happened in Denver with whatever plans he had for using Broderick Jones. In his response, Tomlin mentioned Troy Fautanu.

“It did in game. I had intentions of utilizing both guys. I acknowledged that Troy [Fautanu] was healthy. I acknowledge that Troy was capable. That’s why we started him. I rolled him because I had concerns about his level of conditioning. He’s a young guy, new to me. He’s new to the NFL. I didn’t know how fatigue would affect his play in terms of detail. So, we tried to ward off some of that. I had every intention of using Broderick, but when Broderick started getting highly penalized in play, I backed off it and I held my breath and played Troy.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about how they would handle things this week.

“We will see where roads lead.We have a week of preparation. I’d be disrespectful to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday if I had a hardcore plan about how I was going to roll those guys. Man, I’m going to give Broderick [Jones] an opportunity to rebound. He’s a talented young player. I am sure he suffered some disappointment in terms of Troy starting. It’s a natural thing. But he has to move past it and I have to give him an opportunity to move past it as a leader.We’ll get into this week. We’ll let participation be our guide and the quality of participation for both guys be our guide in terms of how we divvy up this week. It’s a new week.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if there was something about Jones heading into this game or was it more of what Fautanu was doing.

“It was more reflective of what Troy [Fautanu] was doing. Troy had been lighting it up. I don’t talk a lot during the pre-season particularly about rookies because it doesn’t help me and it doesn’t help them. But based on my actions in terms of putting him in the lineup, I’m sure you have an understanding of what I was looking at in terms of development.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about not having rotated offensive tackles before and if it is something he considers a viable long-term option.

“Rotation doesn’t bother me when everyone is capable. Everyone is capable. I had very little knowledge about Troy’s level of conditioning, so it was appropriate.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if there was anything else outside of the penalties concerning Jones’ play that led him to play Fautanu.

“The penalties were enough for the reasons I just mentioned. It is difficult for units to overcome first and 20 at any point in the journey, but particularly in Week 2or Week 3. You better work your tail off to be penalty-free, particularly when you’re in hostile environments, getting one-dimensional in places like Denver. You can essentially shut a drive down. That’s why we did the things we did.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he plans on continuing to cross train Jones at left tackle and right tackle.

“We’ve been doing that. That was going to be his role regardless of who starts and who doesn’t. He is the most positioned guy of the three to swing. So he’s been the swing.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Jones’ comments about not having the right attitude and if that concerns him.

“I didn’t hear that. I don’t know under what circumstances he said that. Oftentimes guys are just trying to answer questions appropriately and move on with their day. I don’t put a whole lot of stake in some of those emotional things that are said by guys after games in an effort to be professional and answer the questions of media types.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about not getting to see much of Fautanu in the preseason so what did he see in practice or the classroom that stood out.

“Actually I did. We were not passive about playing him in the pre-season when he was available. He played a lot. Then we had also practices against Buffalo. He’s been in some elevated circumstances beyond the practices.Some of the things that he’s shown us has nothing to do with anything other than pedigree. He’s really talented. That is very evident. So we play him.”

Dan Moore Jr.

Coach Tomlin was asked what he has seen from Dan Moore.

“Dan [Moore] has been solid. Dan has been Dan. Dan is never moved by what’s going on around him. There’s a maturity to his approach to business. Oftentimes it is reflected in the consistency of his play.”

Justin Fields

Coach Tomlin was asked about how he evaluates Justin Fields’ decision-making on the field.

“It’s been really good. But I expect it to be.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Justin Fields has done enough to earn the starting job outright.

“Again, I’m not talking hypotheticals. We have one of these two guys available to us as I stand here today, so it’s a waste of my time to speculate, hypotheticals, all of that. Justin has a game to get ready for this week. I’m not doing him any justice by talking hypothetical. I want him focused. I’m focused on the next task. Until Russell gets to a state of readiness where he’s a consideration, I won’t be speculating on any of that in any way.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he liked how Fields has picked his shots to throw deep or assess how he’s taking those shots.

“That’s not only reflective of his capabilities and mindset, that’s probably reflective of our mindset as a collective. We want to be aggressive in terms of going downfield, but we also want to be prudent because incomplete passes and things of that nature get you behind the sticks. We’ve been in hostile environments through two weeks that we wanted to minimize. It’s important, guys, in September that you avoid third-and-long, particularly if your first two games are on the road. We have been really thoughtful and intentional about our approach to business through the first two weeks because of environmental reasons and our lack of collective development, and the number of young people we’ve had in some significant positions, like center, left guard, so forth.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about what he has learned about Fields in stadium.

“He loves to compete. He’s got a quiet confidence about him. He doesn’t change in environments. There’s a clarity in his communication, in his response to communications, that’s really comfortable.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Fields still views this as a chance to earn a starting spot.

“You’d have to ask him that. I don’t want to speak for him.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Justin Fields not running as much in Week 2 as he did in Week 1 and if that was a function of the Broncos defense.

“It’s a two-game sample. Keep watching.”

Russell Wilson

Coach Tomlin was asked if he still believes there is a quarterback competition going on. In his response, he mentioned Russell Wilson.

“Again, I’ve stated where we are. At the beginning of Week 1, I said it was debatable and so we will stay status quo. Russell was in pole position. My position regarding pecking order and the depth chart has not changed, guys, and it won’t until the other guy gets healthy and then we’ll give it real consideration. Until then, I won’t speculate. I don’t know how many ways I can tell you that.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if it has been hard for him and the staff to say no to Russell Wilson if he has been wanting to go.

“It’s not hard at all. He hasn’t had medical clearance at this point. There’s no judgment component of it. In terms of getting to know him, it’s a pleasure. You don’t have the type of career that Russ has had without behaving in a certain way. I know that. Anybody of us in our business knows that. It’s just cool to see that behavior, that professionalism, that approach to business that makes this type of career happen. It’s good for young guys to see it, to glean from it, to learn from, but also to mimic it. It’s just really good to have veterans around that have been to the mountaintop, if you will, professionally, and seen a lot, experienced a lot. It’s helpful on a lot of levels.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Russell Wilson receiving a game ball after the game.

“You know, none of your businesses, respectfully. There’s certain things that go on among teams that I don’t talk about. Whether it gets out, how it gets out, is unimportant to me. I’m not overly guarded against it. It’s just certain things as a leader I talk to the collective about that I have zero intentions of sharing with the larger public because it’s about our collective, how we come together, how we appreciate and support one another. I can’t give you all the ingredients to the hot dog. You might not like it.”

Joey Porter Jr.

Coach Tomlin was asked to assess Joey Porter Jr.’s first two games this season.

“That is his life. That’s what he [Joey Porter Jr.] signed up for. I’ve known him the majority of his life. He’s living what he dreamed. He wants the big matchups. He’s prepared himself for it.There’s challenges that come with it. I like the general spirit in which he addresses them. It’s a new week, new challenges for him. He’s probably got another high pedigree talented guy to deal with this week. But that’s what he’s running to, not away from. I just appreciate his approach and his attitude regarding it. We’re going to continually work on technique and things of that nature. He’s still a very young player, has room for growth in those areas, and I expect him to.”

DeShon Elliott

Coach Tomlin was asked what type of impact DeShon Elliott’s versatility has had.

“He’s done a really nice job. He’s new to us, but not unfamiliar to us. Saw a lot of tape on him when he was in the AFC North in Baltimore. Always appreciated the things you mentioned. Proven to be very evident over the course of two weeks, he’s made quite a few plays, not to mention splash plays, interceptions, tackles for losses on third down and one, those weighty plays that shape football games.Excited for him, and really excited about continuing to utilize his talents as we get to know him more.”

Roman Wilson

Coach Tomlin was asked if he expects Roman Wilson to get work in this week.

“I do. We’ll see where that leads, whether it leads to participation, how much participation. Yes, I was pleased with his progress
last week. I’m excited to see where it leads us this week.”

Coach Tomlin was asked how close Roman Wilson was to playing last week.

“It’s irrelevant.”

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

Coach Tomlin speaks to the media ahead of our Week 3 game against the Chargers. @PNCBank

📺: #LACvsPIT 9/22 at 1 PM ET on CBS https://t.co/aWy0L9NdUY

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 17, 2024