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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson says he got to know head coach Mike Tomlin, whom he described as an “unbelievable mentor,” while sidelined with a calf injury for the first six weeks of the 2024 season.
“Every day, Coach Tomlin comes in, he gives his monologue speech, I call it. This guy is just a tremendous motivator,” Wilson said Friday on the Rich Eisen Show (2:00 mark of the video below.)
Wilson later added: “This guy is an unbelievable mentor, but he’s also a great leader of men. And there’s a reason why he’s won 17 years in a row. It doesn’t happen by accident.”
Wilson praised both Tomlin’s attitude during game days as well as the coach’s guidance in twice-weekly, closed-door quarterback meetings that involve watching game tape, sometimes with other offensive players like Pat Freiermuth or Najee Harris.
“His ability to communicate that, and really paint a picture of what’s going to happen in the game and what’s it going to look like when it does, I think that’s fascinating,” Wilson said.
Wilson is not the only player who has mentioned having weekly meetings with Tomlin. Steelers rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop recently told reporters that he meets with the head coach once a week to study film, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has previously said Tomlin holds a weekly meeting with his team’s defense.
The veteran quarterback told Eisen that Tomlin’s communication with the quarterback room has been “great” as himself and Justin Fields navigated uncertain hierarchy in the depth chart after both being acquired by Pittsburgh this offseason.
After Wilson suffered a calf injury during preseason practice, Fields stepped in to start the first six games and lead the Steelers to a 4-2 season-opening record.
Wilson then took over the role in Week 7, when he made his Steelers debut last Sunday in a 37-15 win over the visiting New York Jets.
“I’ve always admired Justin from afar, and we’ve always stayed in touch, when he was in college and in the pros,” Wilson said. “Playing quarterback in the National Football League, and also being a young Black quarterback, I know what that looks like, and feels like, and the ups and downs, and the great moments, too. So, over the years, Justin and I have always been close… the dialogue between J and I has always been great, and also, too, between coach and us.”
Wilson added: “I think the best part is that we’re just focused on getting better every day.”
The Steelers are preparing for another home game against a New York area team with the Giants slated to arrive in Pittsburgh on Monday.
After going 16-of-29 for 264 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the victory over the Jets, Wilson is expected to get the start with Fields backing up for the second time this season as the 5-2 Steelers continue to battle the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens for the top of the AFC North.
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