Getty Image / Cliff Welch
Over the past few weeks, Mike Tomlin has chosen to do something that not all other coaches would agree with.
He has given some of his starters reps during every one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason games.
While the vast majority of players around the league will get some reps over the course of the preseason, there are few that have starting jobs locked up who will see snaps in every preseason game.
After last night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Tomlin was asked about this decision and gave a perfect response to reporters.
Tomlin said, “I just think it’s difficult to box without sparring.”
#Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on deciding to play starters in the preseason: "I just think it's difficult to box without sparring."
Elite quote from Tomlin.pic.twitter.com/KmvujrNW63
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 25, 2023
The approach looks like it is going to work out pretty well for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers entered this offseason with the quarterback position being a pretty big question mark. There was no question about who the team’s starting QB would be, but there were major questions about just how good the offense could be with Kenny Pickett under center.
This preseason, he has done a pretty good job of starting to answer those questions.
Pickett has looked good in limited snaps during all 3 of his preseason appearances and capped it off by going 4/4 for 86 yards against the Falcons last night.
Some teams take a different approach to the preseason. They are willing to risk a slow start to the regular season to prevent their key players from getting hurt during the preseason.
That isn’t a risk the Pittsburgh Steelers can really afford in a division that arguably has 2 Super Bowl contenders.
After 16 years as the head coach of the Steelers, Mike Tomlin know that he’s in for a fight every year in the AFC North and he’s preparing his team for one this preseason.