The Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin will be doing something this season that they have not had to do in a very long time, which is decide a starting quarterback not named Ben Roethlisberger. NFL Insider Ross Tucker came onto 93.7's The Fan Morning Show to talk with Colin Dunlap and Chris Mack about multiple topics surrounding the Steelers, including Mike Tomlin's first real QB battle, his national perception as a coach, and the Steeler way.
(L-R) Kennt Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky | Justin Berl/Getty Images; Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images
"How do you anticipate Tomlin will handle the Trubisky-Pickett dynamic considering Tomlin has not had anything to do like this the last 15 years?" Dunlap asked.
"Other organizations are much more concerned about development than the Steelers. And that's sort of a blessing for the Steelers, but maybe a little bit of a curse. I truly believe that the Steelers will do whatever it takes each week to win that game. If they think it's Mitch Trubisky that can win them the game that week, it's Trubisky. If they think it's Kenny Pickett, it's Pickett. If they think it's Mason Rudolph, it's Mason Rudolph. And maybe to their detriment," Tucker said."It's just the Steeler way. They never give up on a week, they never give up on a season, and it's respectable. If they're 2-5 or 3-6, it would make a whole lot of sense to just give Pickett the rest of the year, but I don't know if they'll do that. They have a different philosophy and it's why they're always so good and so competitive," Tucker continued. "As a former player, I respect it. I would never want to just wave the white flag and have the young guy play the rest of the year just so we could get him more experience."
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 24: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) takes part in a drill during the team's OTA practice, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tucker was asked whether it would have made sense in one of the last two seasons to go with Rudolph instead of Roethlisberger, tank, and then get a better QB with a better draft pick in one of the last two drafts:
"I think they did it perfectly. It's actually pretty remarkable the Steelers didn't do that. They made the playoffs and still got the first QB off the board. They had their pick on the guys this year. You guys have a different standard, and I get it and you should, but there are franchises that never make the playoffs. There are GMs and coaches that would cut off the tip of their pinky to make the playoffs, and the Steelers do it in a rebuilding year!"
Finally, with one last question before they moved on to talk about Najee Harris, the two 93.7 The Fan hosts asked him about what his perception or what the national perception of Mike Tomlin is:
"If the Steelers ever moved on from him, he would have his choice of 10+ coaching jobs. They've never had a losing record, and you think about that when they had Duck Hodges that one year, and even the last few years when it seemed like Ben just could not play anymore, and combine both of those things with the fact that people love listening to Mike Tomlin talk and the way he carries himself and presents himself to the media. That is why people love him as a coach," Tucker said."People will point out that the only negative about Tomlin is it seems like every year they lose at least one game they have no business losing. But other than that, national narrative is, Mike Tomlin is a top five coach in NFL," Tucker concluded.
What do you think, #SteelerNation? Do you trust Mike Tomlin will know how to handle the QB battle heading into the season? Would the "Steeler Way' make for some situations that wouldn't be taken well by fans? Did the Steelers transition from Roethlisberger to their current room of QB's perfectly? Let me know in the comments below or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
