"Non-issue for us": Steelers HC Mike Tomlin dismisses adverse effect of Hard Knocks on locker room's performance
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers have won six Super Bowls, they have never been featured on "Hard Knocks." However, this year, the program decided to do something new and said that it would be featuring all four teams of the AFC North: the Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, however, had made it abundantly clear that he was not excited by the prospect. When reporters asked him whether he had watched or was planning to watch "Hard Knocks," he replied in two words: "Absolutely not."
On Thursday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," he was asked if "Hard Knocks" was proving to be too much of a distraction for the locker room and if it was adversely impacting their performance. Tomlin replied:
"It's kind of been a non-issue for me and for us, to be quite honest with you, I just go about my normal business. And their agenda is a little bit different than ours. Our business is winning football games. I try to just remain focused on that."
He also added that even though he was going to be on camera, he would continue to be himself and not act differently.
"I think that's when it becomes a distraction. And so, I focused on being my normal self, and I think the players have done the same thing as well."
Mike Tomlin defends starting Russell Wilson instead of Justin Fields
Despite Justin Fields helping the Steelers secure a strong 3-0 start to the season, a few games later, he was benched in favor of veteran QB Russell Wilson. At the time, not many were happy with the idea since Wilson had just recovered from a calf injury and his 11-19 record with the Denver Broncos wasn't exactly confidence-inspiring.
However, Tomlin stood his ground at the time and said it was an "executive decision" to start Wilson. Now that his bet has paid off, he told McAfee what he saw in Wilson that gave him the confidence to start him.
"He's got over a decade of experience, man, he has a way with his teammates that's inspiring, informational. He brings people together. He brings the best out in people," Mike Tomlin told McAfee.
Will the Steelers continue their impressive run under Wilson when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles next?