Steelers 37, Jets 15
MIKE TOMLIN: Man, nothing like prime time football at Acrisure, man. I'm just really appreciative of the atmosphere and the quality of play. Thought we got stronger as the game went on in all three phases, man. We made plays in all three phases.
Last night we talked about A-player performance, particularly on stages such as this, prime time television and so forth. I just thought we had a lot of guys that displayed A-player are characteristics. Can't say enough about young Beanie Bishop, man. That's an awesome evening, man, for him to get his first two interceptions versus a gold jacket guy like Aaron Rodgers, man. We're just appreciative of the work that was done tonight to make the night what it was. Hopefully there's growth in this as we move forward, man, but it's good to get a win.
We had a couple of injuries. Mon Adams had a knee injury, wasn't able to return. Donte Jackson had a shoulder injury, wasn't able to return. We had some other bumps and bruises associated with play, but, man, I'm just really appreciative of the efforts of the men. Questions?
Q. Mike, how would you evaluate Russ tonight?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, I thought he... I thought he was excellent. I thought he got better as the game went on. Man, I thought he -- but I'm not surprised by that. It's been a while since he played some ball, but I thought he settled in, knock the rust off, man, and distributed the ball around and played well.
Q. Mike, is part of that wanting to see how guys respond to him, how the team plays with Russ under center?
MIKE TOMLIN: Yes.
Q. Coach, your thoughts on just how the special teams continue to respond with splash plays with the blocks.
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, we got a block culture here that we embrace, and we embrace it with our work during the course of the week, man. We got a lot of guys that put a lot of effort into the techniques that's required to deliver and so I'm just appreciative of that, man, it's pretty awesome. It is significant, and it has been. I'm appreciative.
Q. Mike, you've talked about learning about your players when you first (?). What did you learn about Russell Wilson today?
MIKE TOMLIN: It was my first time in the stadium with him, and so, you know, I learned a lot about him, to be quite honest with you, but not in reference to the conversation that you're talking about. It was just my first time in the stadium with him, and so in-game demeanor, communication and skills, listening skills, it was a good experience for me.
Q. Did you consider using Justin at all on any of those short yardage opportunities?
MIKE TOMLIN: I did not.
Q. What did it say that Russ kept the ball and pushed his way in for that one-yard rushing touchdown? And what did you learn about maybe his resilience and his strength in that moment?
MIKE TOMLIN: It was just a sneak.
Q. What did you like about the rapport he seemed to have with George out there?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, George in one-on-one circumstances is a good target and he displayed the reasons why.
Q. Mike, you saw Beanie take some earlier reps during camp. How are you seen him grow over his opportunities?
MIKE TOMLIN: You know, he's grown in all areas, there's a lot to cover when you're a rookie, but the one thing I'll say about him is he never shrinks. The situations aren't too big for him and he's learned and he's open to learning. He has good questions. I meet with him every Friday morning as we lean in on situational ball. He's doing a lot of the little things well, man. He's on a good trajectory.
Q. Did you feel like his first interception was kind of a momentum switch for you guys?
MIKE TOMLIN: Without a doubt. Without a doubt, man, two-minute football, we know Aaron's going to be aggressive. We switched up the schematics and he made a significant play, he meaning Beanie.
Q. Coach, it seemed like (inaudible) players on the field after the win, they really seemed (inaudible). Did you feel that in the locker room? I know a win's a win --
MIKE TOMLIN: Yeah, man. Like, it's a big win on Sunday night ball, man, heck yeah.
MODERATOR: All right. Last one.
Q. Kind of tying in with what he said there, you guys have more than 30 on the scoreboard in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2020. How refreshing is that to have that sort of output in back-to-back weeks?
MIKE TOMLIN: I haven't absorbed it. In that way, man. Really just trying to do what's required to win. I'm appreciative of their efforts.
MODERATOR: All right, Coach.
MIKE TOMLIN: B. Marshall, what's up? Yes, sir? Let me brace myself.
Q. Coach, was that one of your boldest decisions to go with three? Even thought I'm a Pittsburgh guy, I'm from east Liberty.
MIKE TOMLIN: That's why I'm well-compensated. (Laughter) Thank you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports