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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.

Eagles Head Coach Announces A.J. Brown To Start On The Bench For Standout Rookie After Poor Performance vs. Broncos
  Philadelphia, PA — the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach confirmed that A.J. Brown will start on the bench in Week 6 against the New York Giants, with the boundary starting spot going to rookie WR Taylor Morin—an undrafted signing out of Wake Forest who flashed through rookie camp and the preseason. The decision follows an underwhelming offensive showing against the Denver Broncos, where several snaps highlighted the unit being out of sync between Brown and Jalen Hurts. On a midfield option route, Hurts read Cover-2 and waited for an inside break into the soft spot, while Brown maintained a vertical stem and widened to the boundary to stretch the corner. The ball fell into empty space and the drive stalled. On a separate red-zone snap, a pre-snap hot-route signal wasn’t locked identically by the pair, resulting in a hurried throw that was broken up. The staff treated it as a reminder about route-depth precision, timing, and pre-snap communication—the micro-details that underpin the Eagles’ offense when January football arrives. Starting Morin is part of a plan to re-establish rhythm: the early script is expected to emphasize horizontal spacing, short choice/option concepts, and over routes off play-action to probe the Giants’ responses. Morin—who has shown strong hands in tight windows and clean timing in the preseason—should give the call sheet a steadier platform, while Brown will be “activated” in high-leverage downs such as 3rd-and-medium, two-minute, and red zone to maximize his body control, early separation, and the coverage gravity that can force New York to roll coverage. Facing the tough call, Brown kept his response brief but competitive:“I can’t accept letting a kid take my spot, but I respect his decision. Let’s see what we’re saying after the game. I’ll practice and wait for my chance. When the ball is in the air, everyone will know who I am.” Operationally, the staff is expected to streamline the call sheet between Hurts and Brown: standardize option-route depths, clearly flag hot signals, and increase game-speed reps in 7-on-7 and team periods so both are “seeing it the same and triggering the same.” Handing the start to Morin also resets the locker-room standard: every role is earned by tape and daily detail—even for a star of Brown’s caliber. If Brown converts the message into cleaner stems and precise landmarks—catching the ball at the spot and on time—the Eagles anticipate early returns: fewer dead drives, better red-zone execution when back-shoulder throws and choice routes are run “in the same language,” and an offense that regains tempo before taking on Big Blue. With Taylor Morin in the opening script, Philadelphia hopes the fresh piece is enough to jump-start the attack from the first series.