Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin received a glowing endorsement from NFL legend J.J. Watt, who visited the team’s practice this week.
Watt, a future Hall of Famer and former Houston Texans (and Arizona Cardinals) star, had heard plenty about Tomlin from his brother, T.J. Watt.
However, despite all of the high praise, J.J. admitted that seeing Tomlin coach firsthand left a lasting impression.
Following the visit, Tomlin took to social media to express his appreciation.
“The only thing better than having one Watt on the field is having two Watts on the field. Thanks for hanging with us, @JJWatt,” Tomlin posted on X.
J.J. Watt, now a CBS Sports studio analyst, was equally complimentary in his response.
“Itβs easy to understand why your players will run through walls for you, Coach,” Watt replied. “It was an honor and a pleasure, thanks for having me.”
Tomlin’s tenure as the Steelers’ head coach has seen its share of ups and downs. After leading Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl victory in just his second season, Tomlin was quickly hailed as one of the NFL’s rising coaching stars.
His reputation grew stronger when the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl two years later. However, as the team struggled to recapture that championship form, some critics attributed Tomlin’s early success to the strong foundation he inherited, including a franchise quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.
In recent years, Tomlin has rewritten his legacy by guiding the Steelers to the playoffs under challenging circumstances, including with an aging Roethlisberger and backup quarterbacks like Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett.
At 52-years-old, Tomlin has solidified his status as one of the NFL’s most consistent and resilient coaches.
Despite his accomplishments, Tomlin faces growing skepticism about the future.
The Steelers’ offensive struggles in recent years have raised questions about his ability to develop a top-tier quarterback.
With the “Pickett experiment” failing to deliver the desired results, some fans and analysts doubt whether the team can rise beyond a nine or ten-win season, potentially capping out with a disappointing playoff exit.
However, Tomlin still commands respect from many in the football world. There are few coaches who are more popular among players.
Former players like J.J. Watt and current stars such as San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk admire his leadership and tenacity.
Tomlin’s ability to resonate with his players and maintain a winning culture over his 16-year career is a testament to his enduring influence and impressive consistency.
As Tomlin heads into another pivotal season, the pressure is on to keep the Steelers competitive in a tough AFC North. With the offense still finding its footing, Pittsburgh may need to lean heavily on its defense to make another playoff run.
But if history is any guide, Tomlin has a knack for steering the Steelers through turbulent waters and keeping them in the postseason mix.
Having said that, what are your thoughts on Tomlin as a coach? … Where do you rank him among the best in the league?
In the bigger picture, do you think we will see Tomlin hoist another Lombardi in Pittsburgh before his Steelers days are over?
More importantly, is there ANY chance we see J.J. come out of retirement and team-up with his brother in Pittsburgh??? (Keep in mind, he has openly flirted with the idea…)