The Pittsburgh Steelers operate in a unique fashion. The Steelers have a certain way that they have done business for an extended period, and it has come to be known as the Steeler Way. Omar Khan has broken the mold of a few long-held orthodoxies in the Steelers’ front office, but it has resulted in the Steelers going back to the future on offense, courtesy of Andy Weidl’s vision for the offensive line and giving Mike Tomlin the tools to direct Matt Canada on how he wants to see the offense play this season.
ESPN First Take
Steelers' Mike Tomlin at Robert Morris.
One of the traits the Steelers look for in a player is intelligence and the ability to adapt quickly to what occurs on the football field and off. The plan is working to perfection because according to a new study published on Betting.com, the Steelers are the fourth smartest team in the NFL and Tomlin tops the list as the most intelligent coach in the NFL. The website performed the study according to the following scientific method.
“To find out which players, coaches, and teams are the brainiest,” the website hypothesizes, “Betting.com analyzed over 3,000 minutes of pre-and post-game press conferences on NFL team YouTube channels. Transcripts of these interviews were then analyzed to reveal the number of unique words per 1,000 words used.”
The website goes on to list several breakdowns including that Derek Carr and Lamar Jackson are the smartest quarterbacks in the NFL based on the analysis. The website listed the top 10 at the position and Carr won by a comfortable margin over Jackson.
“Fresh from his move to the New Orleans Saints,” the study states, “Derek Carr is officially the brainiest quarterback in the NFL, with 123 unique words per 1,000 words. 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson takes second place with 110 unique words per 1,000. Jackson, the NFL’s second brainiest QB, makes a great interview for any journalist.”
Bob Pompeani Twitter
Steelers' Kenny Pickett joins Luke Combs at a recent concert and enjoys an adult beverage.
Kenny Pickett did not appear in the top 10 quarterback rankings, but it hasn't dampened his spirits in the slightest. The Steelers came in fourth as a team on the list in the entire NFL. Technically the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions tied for second with 132 unique words per 1,000 and the Steelers were just behind at 131, tied with the Carolina Panthers for fourth. The Saints led by their new quarterback top the list at 137 unique words per 1,000.
Mike Tomlin Has Golden Opportunity In 2023 To Prove The Steelers Can Win His Way
Tomlin, who is probably the best coach ever in a press conference, won the coaching category by a runaway margin. The Pittsburgh head coach uses 138 unique words per 1,000 which tops all coaches and teams in the NFL. It is not particularly close among coaches.
“No losing record for 16 seasons with the Steelers has cemented Mike Tomlin’s legacy in Pittsburgh,” Betting.com states. “And as the NFL’s brainiest coach, it’s no surprise he’s maintained this record for so long. Using 138 unique words per 1,000 words, more than any other coach or quarterback, Tomlin emerges as the brainiest leader in the NFL.”
Lovie Smith was a distant second at 109 words. Mike McDaniel at 108 and Mike McCarthy at 101 are the only other coaches to top the century mark. Zac Taylor from the Cincinnati Bengals finishes fifth at 93.
steelers.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been engineering the team of their future this offseason.
The criteria outlined in the study are very kind to the Steelers’ loquacity as a team. A big vocabulary is certainly a sign of intelligence, but whether that translates to a return trip to the playoffs in 2023 is yet to be seen. No matter what happens in Pittsburgh this fall, the two words you will probably not hear in the press are no comment. The Steelers have a lot to say and are not shy about doing it.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you ready for the Steelers to start winning to back up their accomplished speaking? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
