The 2023 regular season is moving through December. With the Steelers coming off an embarrassing home loss where they were heavy favorites, they are on a short week because of playing on Thursday night in Week 14. For this reason, head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium on Monday to address in 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.

Kenny Pickett

Coach Tomlin was ask about Kenny Pickett not taking shots down the field to open receivers and if there are shots that he’s not taking for whatever reason.

“Sure. There’s been some opportunities that have been missed in the passing game but that’s just a part of our collective growth. That’s every week.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked if there are concerns about Pickett having to leave so many games due to injury early in his career.

“No, not as I sit here today. You know, he was managing that ankle prior to yesterday. I think it was listed on the injury report every day last week. And so, it got aggravated and we just did what was necessary in terms of addressing it. I don’t know that we’re viewing it as something that’s chronic, particularly with something like an ankle injury. And so, we’re just dealing with this on a case-by-case basis as we sit here right now.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if there is a best-case or worst-case timetable for Pickett.

“You know, they’ll always come out of the OR with some information in that regard, but I’m just not privy to it as I sit here today. And that’s why I phrased it the way that I phrased it. Rest assured he won’t be available this week.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if there was any concern over Pickett’s injury being season ending.

“No.”

Mitch Trubisky & Mason Rudolph

Coach Tomlin was asked why they will go with Mitch Trubisky on Thursday and in his answer he mentioned Mason Rudolph as well.

“Because he gets the most work. You know, you can’t give work to three guys to be quite honest with you. Most of Mason Rudolph’s work comes on scout team offense. And so, Mitch has been positioned to get the work.”

Coach Tomlin was asked what he sees from Mitch Trubisky in terms of leadership.

“Yeah, he has an outgoing and welcoming personality. He’s a good communicator. He’s been a franchise quarterback before. He’s comfortable in those shoes. He doesn’t behave like a backup that’s being elevated. And I think those are things that make him attractive.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked what Mason Rudolph potentially provides knowing that he is only one snap away from entering the game.

“You know, we’ve got experience with him. He’s got experience with us within our program. He’s a good idea guy. He’s a good sounding board for the guys that are in. And so, you know, it’s a real comfortable thing for us with his presence and him being elevated, no doubt.”

Blake Martinez & Myles Jack

Coach Tomlin was asked about how to balance being consistent and making mental mistakes and the message getting through. In his response he mentioned Blake Martinez.

“Keep working. There’s multiple components to getting better. Messaging is just one of them. Physical work is probably a more significant component. And that’s why these days in prep for performance are so big. You just, you can never tire from seeking perfection and working to improve on a daily basis even when you get into the season like we are. Particularly, because of the attrition component. Man, it could be a big week for a guy like Blake Martinez, for example from a prep standpoint.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked about the process of bringing in Blake Martinez and Myles Jack and what he has seen from them so far.

“When you just look at the pool of people that were available to us and just where we were. We valued NFL experience, even if that NFL experience was not in a training camp or has, you know, limited work in that area. And so, we didn’t wait for the next domino to fall before we acquired those guys and began their physical preparation process and their mental preparation process. We did that a couple of weeks back, hopeful that we would have more time, but you don’t always get what you want. And so, we’ll see what those dudes look like from a preparedness standpoint as we prepare for this one.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he was surprised that Myles Jack was willing to come out of retirement.

“Not at all. If you know Myles Jack man, you know, he got a passion for football. Those other things you mentioned, I’m sure he’s passionate about, but he’s got a legitimate passion for football that’s undeniable.”

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Coach Tomlin was asked if there is a larger concern for Minkah Fitzpatrick‘s hand and if he is expected to play on Thursday.

“He was able to finish the game. And so, I’d imagine it’s going to be more of the same. Our medical people did an awesome job. He did an awesome job of taking advantage of the downtime that we had due to the delays and getting him ready to go.”

Dan Moore Jr.

Coach Tomlin was asked about how Dan Moore mentioned after the game the team might lack a little bit of mental toughness and how Coach Tomlin could coach that at this point in December.

“You know, we’ve been in a lot of circumstances, tight circumstances where we’ve won. I don’t necessarily know that I agree with that. Again, he was probably just answering a question that was phrased in a certain way.”

T.J. Watt

Coach Tomlin was asked if T.J. Watt is dealing with any injuries from Sunday’s game.

“Yeah, A couple of in-game things, but not anything that would limit him in preparation this week or require him to be listed on the injury
report in any way.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked about Watt’s frustration of being officiated differently and if there’s something he has seen in the way plays are officiated with Watt.

“You know, T.J.’s is a special player. You know, people go to a lot of lengths of work to minimize him. And frustration is probably a component of play for him.”

Diontae Johnson

Coach Tomlin was asked if he cared about Diontae Johnson’s touchdown celebration or if he would like him to not do that.

“I’m unfamiliar with what you’re talking about.”

The follow-up stated that Johnson celebrated his touchdown even though they were down 14 points.

“What’s your opinion on it? Do you have one? “

After the reporter responded that he did not have an opinion, he asked Coach Tomlin if he had an opinion.

“Not that I’ll share with you guys.”

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

Coach Tomlin speaks to the media ahead of our Week 14 game against the Patriots. @PNCBank

📺: #NEvsPIT 12/7 at 8:15 PM ET on @NFLonPrime https://t.co/aejcLW8nBc

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 4, 2023