Mike Tomlin has been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach since 2007. He has given NFL fans many memorable quotes and moments in those nearly twenty years.
So whenever the 52-year-old gives us something new to work with, we can’t help but smile. Tomlin, who won Super Bowl XLIII, has also never had a losing season in his 17 years as head coach.
So when the camera landed on Tomlin at the end of the third quarter during the Steelers “Monday Night Football” game at home against the New York Giants, it was no surprise that he gave us new meme fodder.
omlin gave the camera a side eye like he was in a sitcom – think Michael Scott from The Office – and then he gave a slow, charming thumbs up.
The thumbs-up is a good descriptor of how Tomlin’s season is going.
always nice to get a 👍 from @CoachTomlin pic.twitter.com/tmXoAdB3lD
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024
First, the Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson after he was released by the Denver Broncos and then traded for quarterback Justin Fields. After a successful competition for the starting role, Fields won out after Wilson suffered a calf injury. Fields went 4-2 as a starter. Then, veteran Wilson was named the new starter – to much confusion and criticism – and won the next two games.
Now after the Steelers’ 26-18 win on Monday, the team is 6-2 and standing alone at the top of the AFC North.
The thumbs-up also came after a big 36-yard throw to Van Jefferson. It was the spark for a drive that resulted in Wilson’s one touchdown pass of the evening and put the game just out of reach for the struggling Giants.
Russell Wilson drops it in a 🪣 for Calvin Austin III’s second TD of the night!
📺: #NYGvsPIT on ESPN/ABC/ESPN2
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KWAglgI9WV— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024
A little less rust than the week before, but I’m not surprised by his capabilities,” Tomlin said after the game about Wilson, who was 20-of-28 for 278 yards.
In two games with Wilson as the starter, the Steelers have scored 63 points after averaging 20.7 points per game in their first six games with Fields.
The Steelers head into a bye week before traveling to play the Washington Commanders on Nov. 10.