Mike Tomlin has been at the helm in Pittsburgh for 19 seasons now, and if you ask him, he’s felt the pressure every step of the way. Not because someone’s looking over his shoulder, but because that’s just how he operates - with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, every single year.
“I always feel like I got something to prove,” Tomlin said. “Not necessarily to anyone in particular. That’s just the spirit in which I go about what I do professionally.”
That mindset has defined Tomlin’s tenure - a relentless drive that’s helped keep the Steelers competitive no matter the circumstances. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who’ll get a firsthand look at the Steelers on Monday night when Miami (6-7) visits Pittsburgh (7-6), knows exactly what Tomlin’s teams bring to the table.
“They play physically every year, regardless of what the nameplates are,” McDaniel said. “They find a way to play sound football and they become pretty hard to beat.”
That’s been the Tomlin blueprint for nearly two decades: tough, disciplined, and resilient. And this season is no different.
Just two weeks ago, the Steelers looked like they were teetering on the edge after a rough home loss to Buffalo. That defeat dropped them into a tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North and had some fans in the stands calling for Tomlin’s job.
But if there’s one thing Tomlin’s teams do well, it’s respond. And they did just that - going on the road and beating those same Ravens to reclaim the top spot in the division. It was a reminder of what Pittsburgh is: not always pretty, but always in the fight.
Yes, it’s been more than eight years since the Steelers won a playoff game, and yes, there have been some rough patches - including a stretch this season where they dropped five of seven and looked outmatched at times. But through it all, they’ve never bottomed out.
Tomlin still hasn’t had a losing season. That kind of consistency in today’s NFL is rare.
“It’s easy when you lose a few games to fall into selfish cliques,” said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. “Our guys don’t do that. They just figure out how to work harder and get us out of the rut.”
It’s a similar story in Miami, where the Dolphins started the year 2-7 - a stretch that cost general manager Chris Grier his job and put McDaniel’s future in doubt. But since then, the Dolphins have ripped off four straight wins and clawed their way back into the playoff picture.
“There’s a lot of pride in how we play football,” McDaniel said. “We’ve got a brand that’s unique to us in all three phases, and I really appreciate that.”
The Minkah Fitzpatrick Trade: A Win-Win?
This past summer, the Steelers and Dolphins pulled off a rare mid-offseason blockbuster, with Pittsburgh shipping All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami in exchange for defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.
And so far, it’s looking like a deal that worked out for both sides.
Ramsey has brought stability to Pittsburgh’s secondary, shifting to safety after DeShon Elliott’s season-ending injury and helping shore up a unit that needed leadership. Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has been thriving in Miami’s defense, bouncing between safety and slot corner and making an impact wherever he lines up.
“He’s unbelievable,” Austin said. “Smart, tough, nose for the ball, makes everyone around him better. He’s a great communicator - all the things you want.”
As for Fitzpatrick, he’s not making this week about facing his former team.
“No, the only reason why it’s a big week this week is because we’ve got a game and we’ve got to win it,” he said.
Rodgers Reignites Pittsburgh’s Passing Game
The Steelers’ offense finally found its rhythm in Baltimore, and it started with a bang. On the first play of the game, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers launched a 53-yard strike to DK Metcalf - a tone-setter that signaled Pittsburgh’s passing game was back in business.
Rodgers, now the NFL’s second-oldest active player (thanks to Philip Rivers’ unexpected return), finished with a season-high 284 yards, showing the kind of deep-ball accuracy and command that’s made him a future Hall of Famer.
The difference? More weapons and better chemistry.
With Adam Thielen now in the fold and Marquez Valdes-Scantling promoted to the gameday roster, Rodgers had reliable targets across the board. Metcalf, in particular, had a breakout performance - hauling in seven catches for 147 yards, his best game of the season.
“We know what winning looks like,” Metcalf said. “I still don’t think we’ve played our best football yet. We had a little lull in the second half, but we’re heading in the right direction.”
Tua’s QB Fan Moment
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa couldn’t help but smile when asked about Rodgers’ performance - and the return of Philip Rivers, now 44 years old.
“Dude,” Tagovailoa said. “Now we got Philip Rivers back?
That’s dope. These are guys I used to watch when I was young, young, you know?”
And as for Rodgers?
“Everyone knows he can still throw it,” Tagovailoa said. “Whether he’s on the opposite 40 throwing it to the back left pylon - he’s still got it.”
What’s at Stake
Monday night’s game is more than just another matchup. It’s two teams that have weathered storms this season, found their footing, and now sit squarely in the playoff hunt.
For the Steelers, it’s another chance to prove that grit and resilience still win games in December. For the Dolphins, it’s about continuing a second-half surge that’s breathed new life into their season.
And for Mike Tomlin? It’s just another week with something to prove - just the way he likes it.