NFL
By: Melo Williams
So now that the 2022-2023 NFL season has officially begun, the Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp and players have reported to Saint Vincent College, without future Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the first time in 18 seasons total. For Mike Tomlin, I know it’s a personal challenge he has for himself to prove once again to his doubters he’ll guide the Pittsburgh Steelers through life without Ben Roethlisberger though it’ll be challenging.
In June, Coach Tomlin made a guest appearance on The Pivot Podcast with former Steeler Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor. Tomlin was asked about a lot of things, but then the conversation shifted and it got a little more serious and interesting when Ryan Clark asked Coach Tomlin what it was like to coach Seven (Ben Roethlisberger) and how was he going to focus on his new chapter without Ben. Tomlin responded before he went in depth about Ben, “First of all, the dude’s talented.”
“When you watch somebody do something at a certain level for so long, it messes up your perception of what’s regular and what’s not. The dude’s arm talent was so special for so long. When you see special stuff every day, you get used to it. I’ve enjoyed that comfort, we’ve all enjoyed that comfort. I’m excited about being uncomfortable. Yeah, we might not have the type of quarterback play that we’ve had, we might not have a special talent that we’ve had, but we got capable dudes. And we’ve got a team.”
To begin addressing life going forward without Big Ben, the Steelers signed former Bills and Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and drafted the hometown kid Kenny Pickett (University of Pittsburgh) number 20 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Though in Pickett’s senior season he led the Panthers to an 11-2 record and the school’s first ACC Championship, Coach Tomlin understands it’s going to be a slow process to guide and groom both Trubisky and Pickett. The common thought around Pittsburgh is that Pickett, who has potential star qualities will be Ben’s ultimate successor as the franchise quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For now, until further notice Coach Tomlin will be evaluating who will be the starter Week One between Pickett, Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph.
Not only did Mike Tomlin and the Steelers add some depth with veteran players on the roster, Mike Tomlin also added Brian Flores to his coaching staff as his senior defensive assistant. Tomlin had plenty of good things to say about Brian Flores also on The Pivot Podcast. Tomlin said the decision to add Flores to his staff was a no-brainer. “I had an opportunity to get a quality dude that is a more than capable coach at a discount.” “Like what are we talking about? It’s crazy.”
Tomlin added “It’s not complicated, right? This dude is an incredible football coach, person too, and a solid dude. Why wouldn’t you?” Tomlin asked.
We know from Flores time in Miami as the head coach, discipline and accountability were at the forefront of the culture in Flores locker room. Not surprising being he comes from the Belichick coaching tree. Discipline and accountability is something that has been missing from Pittsburgh in recent years and now with Brian Flores on staff maybe the stability that has been missing in the locker room since the departures of players like Ryan Clark, James Harrison, Hines Ward, and now Ben Roethlisberger will now become a strength again in Mike Tomlin’s locker room with Flores on the staff.
From a coaching and schematics standpoint, this might be Brian Flores best collective of talent that he has coached at one time with players like All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Devin Bush. The greatest asset to the Steelers defensive coaching staff is that it’s a three-headed trio with years of experience between Tomlin, Flores, and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. It’s going to be very interesting to see how the Steelers defense will look this season with a mind like Brian Flores added in the defensive film room.
“I’m looking forward to the anxiety associated with that uncertainty,” Tomlin said. “To have to stand and deliver, to live out what we believe in. The standard is the standard. It’s like McDonald’s. You know what a No. 1 is. It doesn’t matter where you go, what corner of the globe, a No. 1 is a No. 1, and that’s what I want Pittsburgh Steelers football to be.” “So it doesn’t matter who puts their hands underneath the center as far as I’m concerned. BUT, all that cool stuff being said—It’s scary but exciting.”
The Steelers will kick off the 2022-23 season with a Week One matchup against division rival, AFC North Champion, and Super Bowl runner-up Cincinnati Bengals.
