The Pittsburgh Steelers rode Mason Rudolph and strong performances by Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and George Pickens on offense to help close the season with a record of 10-7 and a three-game win streak including victories over the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. After taking care of their own business, Pittsburgh needed help in Week 18 to advance to the postseason and got it. Ryan Tannehill wanted his probable finale with the Tennessee Titans to be special.
Primanti Bros. Facebook
The Tennessee Titans will get to enjoy sandwiches like this one courtesy of Primanti Bros. after they knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18 of 2023.
His team delivered a 28-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to send their AFC South divisional foe home and Pittsburgh to the playoffs. While the Titans won't enjoy any more football until the fall of 2024, they will still get some help celebrating their win from a popular Pittsburgh restaurant chain.
Popular Pittsburgh sandwich restaurant, Primanti Bros, which has a rich history entwined with the Steelers organization, announced after the Titans' defeat of the Jaguars that they would be sending sandwich kits to Tennessee for their entire team, including Head Coach Mike Vrabel. The signature sandwiches, that have been a Pittsburgh staple since 1933, are making their way to Nashville to show appreciation for the squad that helped make Pittsburgh's playoff dreams come true.
"We all need a little help from our friends," said Adam Golomb, CEO of Primanti's, in a statement to WTAE. "And we’ve got a soft spot for Vrabel and his squad in Tennessee – unless we’re meeting them on the field. But for today – the Titans were our friends."
Vrabel started his NFL journey in Pittsburgh after the team selected him in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played four seasons in the city that drafted him, amassing three forced fumbles, seven sacks, and 56 tackles while never getting a start. He played eight seasons after that with the New England Patriots, blossoming into a consistent starting role and he also won three Super Bowls.
The Patriots traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. He played two more seasons before going into coaching. He oversaw linebackers and the defensive line from 2011-2013 at his alma mater, Ohio State, before coaching with the Houston Texans from 2014-2017. He spent 2017 as the defensive coordinator before Tennessee named him the Head Coach of their program in 2019.
Getty Images
Steelers linebacker sizes up the opponents during a game in the 2000 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
While Steeler Nation will fondly remember Vrabel's playing career in Pittsburgh with his sack of Drew Beldsoe of the Patriots in the 1997 AFC Championship to help the team clinch a 7-6 win and an AFC Championship berth, his teammates from that time remember him as a fun-loving individual. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talked to members of the organization who spent time with Vrabel for a profile in 2020, and they recalled how Vrabel liked to have some fun with pranks.
Do The Steelers Send A Token Of Appreciation To Tennessee?
In 1977, when the Titans were the Houston Oilers, the Steelers needed some help to get into the postseason. Pittsburgh took care of business and beat the San Diego Chargers 10-9, but still needed a Cincinnati Bengals loss to secure the AFC Central. The Oilers delivered a 21-16 win, which sent the Steelers to the playoffs. They lost 34-21 to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round.
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph scrambles for an important first down against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh's Week 16 34-11 win.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared the story on X of how the 1977 team rewarded the Oilers by sending each member of the team and the coaching staff leather briefcases. While there are already some awesome treats on the way to Nashville for the Titans, he wondered if the players themselves might send a token of gratitude.
In 1977, when the Tennessee Titans were the Houston Oilers, the Steelers sneaked into the playoffs b/c the Oilers upset the Bengals on the final weekend. Steelers players were so appreciative they bought leather briefcases for every Oilers player and coach. What's the gift now?
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 7, 2024
In 2024, briefcases might not be the play. Some nice watches or iPads might do the trick.
What do you think of thanking another team for getting yours to the playoffs? What kind of a gift would you send the Titans, if you're sending anything? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
