Steelers Players Back Mike Tomlin After Playoff Loss

ORCHARD PARK -- The Pittsburgh Steelers will face the offseason with plenty of major questions after a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the playoffs, the biggest of which will be the future of their long-time head coach Mike Tomlin.

But Steelers players, particularly the veterans, offered their full support of Tomlin following the loss to the Bills, which marked his fourth playoff defeat in a row and made it seven seasons in a row without a postseason victory for his team.

"I know I love it here. I love Coach [Tomlin]," cornerback Patrick Peterson said. "Everything he's done to motivate us, to put us in the right position to be successful - there's no doubt in my mind he's the right guy for the job."

Rookie offensive tackle Broderick Jones called Tomlin's coaching style different from anything he's experienced and credited Tomlin with challenging him and helping him immensely during his first season in professional football.

"I never had a coach like Mike T. His coaching style is just different from what I'm used to," Broderick said. "He's a good dude. I just got to get used to the regular conversations and just - he's not the type to yell at you and get on you so, he's a different type of coach. I really appreciate him and he does a lot for the team and a lot for me. He always talks to me and tells me what he's looking for from me and I just try to accept the challenge."

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward went on to say that Tomlin deserves all the credit in the world for helping build this Steelers team up and make each individual player better. What's more, Heyward said Tomlin is the only coach he wants to play for.

"We put so much into it. He put so much into it and I just - every player in there wouldn't be anything without Mike [Tomlin]," Heyward said. "This group would not function to even get to a playoff berth without Mike T. He keeps us accountable from top to bottom and I don't want to play for any other coach."

Heyward, another aging veteran whose own future with the club and in professional football altogether is unclear as the Steelers call it quits on the 2023-24 season, said he believed Tomlin would be back for another year in Pittsburgh because this core of players has more to give.

"We battled all year long and you know, I don't really pay attention to the coaching thing because I feel like Mike T is going to be back," Heyward said. "But that's not my decision. I'm not going to speak for him. I just know I think the group here is, collectively, a strong group that can win a Super Bowl."

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