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Mike Tomlin Vows Redemption: “We’re Not Done — The Steelers Will Rise Again Stronger Than Ever”

Jason Mackey: Mike Tomlin's description of his defense could live in infamy  | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH, PA 

The Pittsburgh Steelers rode a rollercoaster in 2024. Finishing 10–7, they placed third in the AFC North. But when the playoff door seemed all but closed, the Steelers clawed their way back with three straight wins to close the season, snatching the final AFC Wild Card spot as the No. 7 seed.

There were flashes of brilliance: a commanding 37–15 victory over the New York Jets in Week 7, and a thrilling 44–38 shootout win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. Still, the reality was harsh. Against the division’s powerhouse Ravens, Pittsburgh struggled, falling 34–17 in Week 16 and once again in the Wild Card round.

On January 11, 2025, the Steelers faced their bitter rivals in Baltimore for a Wild Card showdown. The result was all too familiar. The defense held firm as long as it could, but the offense sputtered, and the game slipped away in a 28–14 defeat. Pittsburgh’s playoff run ended before it ever truly began.

If the offense couldn’t ignite, the defense carried the torch. Elandon Roberts led the charge with 101 tackles, while Leonard Floyd delivered 10.5 sacks, embodying the team’s steel-clad identity. That defensive core kept Pittsburgh competitive, even as the offense lagged behind.

The 2024 Steelers weren’t a tale of glory, but of survival, grit, and the unbreakable will of a franchise that refuses to bow. Mike Tomlin once again dragged his team into the postseason, extending his legacy of never having a losing season.

“We’re not done. This city, this team, this family — we will rise again stronger than ever.” — Mike Tomlin

For Steelers Nation, the early playoff exit stings. But the heart of Pittsburgh still beats iron-strong, waiting for the next chance to turn survival into triumph.

Bears Could Get Huge Boost to Pass Rush for ‘MNF’ vs. Commanders
Bears defensive end Austin Booker could return in Week 6. The Chicago Bears could receive a significant boost to their pass rush when they take on the Washington Commanders for Monday Night Football in Week 6. The Bears are now eligible to designate second-year defensive end Austin Booker for return from the injured reserve list after he missed the first four games of the season. Booker had shone in the preseason and seemed the likely choice to serve as the Bears‘ top rotational pass rusher behind veterans Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo coming into the 2025 season, but he suffered a knee injury in August that forced the team to place him on the short-term injured reserve list after the 53-man roster cutdown. Promoted Content Brain Specialist: Honey, The Plaque Destroyer (Watch This)   Brain Journal Researcher: Honey Method, Alzheimer's Natural Predator (See How)   Brain Journal Dementia Has Been Linked To A Common Habit. Do You Do It?   Brain Defender Dementia & Memory Loss Have Been Linked To This Habit. You Do It?   Brain Journal While the Bears have not laid out an expected return timeline for Booker, they will have the option of designating him for return to practice in Week 6 if they feel he has made enough progress in his injury recovery. Once the Bears designate him for return, they will have 21 days to activate him to the roster or else must leave him on IR for the year. The Bears could provide clues to Booker’s status when they hold their first practice of the week on Wednesday and issue their first injury report for Sunday’s prime-time date with the Commanders. They would need to activate Booker by Saturday afternoon at the latest for him to have a chance of suiting up for them on Monday Night Football. The Bears (2-2) will take on the Commanders (3-2) at 8:15 p.m. ET next Monday.