Aaron Rodgers made sure Mike Tomlin got his flowers in a way only a quarterback with a sense of humor could pull off.
After Pittsburgh’s 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Rodgers showed up in a black T-shirt with DGBTTF across the front and a Coach T logo underneath. It was a clear nod to Tomlin, the former Steelers head coach Rodgers played for during Tomlin’s final Pittsburgh season in 2025.
The question came quickly afterward: was the shirt a coincidence, or was it meant as a message to an Indianapolis defense that had already been burned a few times by Jaylen Warren in the flat? ESPN’s Brooke Pryor asked Rodgers, and he didn’t make it complicated.
"It's not a warning. It's an ode to Mike T. He used to always say, 'Don't get beat to the flat,'"
Rodgers said he had worn the shirt under his sweatshirt and took it off because he was hot after showering. So the tribute was intentional, even if its moment in front of the microphones was just the result of peeling off an extra layer.
The on-field moment that matched the shirt came early. Pittsburgh had opened with a three-and-out, but the next possession turned into fireworks when Warren hauled in an 80-yard touchdown.
On the play, Rodgers fired a swing pass into the right flat while Grover Stewart was hitting him. Warren did the rest, sprinting down the right sideline with DK Metcalf helping by blocking two defenders in pursuit.
It was the kind of play that showed Pittsburgh didn’t need a long-developing route to create its biggest gain. Rodgers got rid of the ball under pressure, Warren brought the burst, and Metcalf kept working after the pass had already gone elsewhere.
Warren finished with six catches for 87 yards, with his other five receptions producing just seven yards combined. Indianapolis wasn’t surrendering huge chunks on every outlet, but the touchdown was the costly exception. Warren also added a 50-yard run in the third quarter and ended with 188 yards from scrimmage.
Rodgers has already made clear how much Tomlin meant to his decision to sign with Pittsburgh. After the Steelers dropped five of seven games during that 2025 season, Rodgers praised Tomlin’s consistency and preparation and pointed to his feel for the locker room as something that made Rodgers’ job easier.
In Other News...
Steelers Defense Is Trying A New Fix That Has To Work Fast
The Steelers are trying a different look on the defensive sideline this week, shifting coordinator Patrick Graham from the booth to field level for the game against the Colts. Graham had preferred calling games from above, where the better angle helps him sort out offensive personnel and formations, but the change gives him a more direct line to players in real time.
Mike McCarthy pushed for the move because he wants quicker, cleaner communication and faster adjustments during the game. It is the kind of tweak teams make when they think a small operational fix can help in a hurry, though McCarthy is still sorting out whether the change actually delivers the kind of correction Pittsburgh needs. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Face A Tough Backfield Call Mike McCarthy Can't Avoid
Pittsburghs win over the Colts only sharpened a backfield question that has been building while Rico Dowdle has been sidelined. Mike McCarthy has made it clear he wants a two-back look with Dowdle and Jaylen Warren, but Warren has done plenty to complicate the plan by handling a bigger load and producing as the primary option in Dowdles absence.
The challenge now is less about whether Warren has earned more work and more about how the Steelers sort out touches once Dowdle is back in the mix. Warrens strong showing against Indianapolis gave the staff another reminder that the current rotation is working, which leaves McCarthy with a decision he cannot really dodge as Pittsburgh moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Suddenly Have A WR Decision That Could Shape Week 6
The Steelers are staring at another receiver-depth test this week, and the timing is awkward with the group already thinned out. DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard have been holding down the top spots, while rookie Kaden Wetjen and a likely practice squad elevation in Brandon Smith are the next men up as Pittsburgh tries to keep the passing game functional.
With the position group so light, the front office is at least weighing outside help, and several free agents have surfaced as possible answers. Nothing has been finalized yet, but the fact the Steelers are looking at another addition says plenty about how fragile the room has become heading into Week 6. [Read more 🡒]