The 2020 season for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over. Although the conclusion was much earlier than many predicted, the Steelers face an off-season with many more questions than answers. Postponed one day, Mike Tomlin had his last media session on Wednesday. With many questions about the team in general, there were some questions about specific players. So here is the final article of the 2020 season in relation to the players mentioned by coach Tomlin in his press conference.
Ben Roethlisberger
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed his 17th season in the NFL. At 38, Roethlisberger’s ability to continue his career in the NFL at a high level will be a broader point of discussion in this off-season. Coach Tomlin was asked whether the organization has decided whether it wants Roethlisberger to return next season and what his impression was of Roethlisberger’s game in 2020.
“We have not made any decisions about any of our people in this regard. As I mentioned, all of these discussions are interrelated and we are just beginning to scratch the surface in terms of what 2021 will look like in terms of the composition of our team and the issues related to it. Regarding Ben [Roethlisberger], I cannot say enough about your performance this year. With the uncertainty coming from an injury, and particularly without having the opportunity to play in pre-season games and so on, there was really a high level of concern for his health and ability to perform. I cannot say enough about your efforts. I can’t say enough about the efforts of our medical team and our rehab stay that worked side by side with him to get him through this process and take him to the stadiums this year. I was more than satisfied with his health performance and his ability to stay awake. In terms of the quality of his game and our game, we will begin to evaluate this in the coming days, but in terms of him responding to the challenges he specifically came for the season ready to face, spectacular. “
Coach Tomlin was asked whether he thinks it is realistic that Ben Roethlisberger is back due to the implications of internationalization.
“I don’t have a clear assessment of the overall impact of the boundary’s ramifications, so I may not have a direct answer to your question, but I think it’s reasonable to assume that there is a chance that it will come back, certainly. I am not aware of the depth of the ramifications of the boundary discussions, while I am sitting here now.
Cam Heyward and TJ Watt
Defense captains TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward said the playoff loss was due to a lack of execution. Coach Tomlin was asked if he agreed with their assessment.
“It was a lot of things. We did not perform well. When I say us, I mean us, players and coaches. I think, specifically, when a game started the way it started and we identified it, the type of points we identified, I think it would make splashing plays and the types of things we like to do with our defensive unit more difficult. I think that the trajectory of our game changes when you are on the path below. This probably had a lot to do with some of the challenges. More than anything, we did not perform well, and that is the truth. “
Mason Rudolph
After starting 8 games in 2019, quarterback Mason Rudolph was used to a limited extent in 2020 with only one start in Week 17. Coach Tomlin was asked about his confidence in Rudolph’s advance.
“I thought he demonstrated that he took a step in the growth and development of his performance, even though it was a small sample. I imagine that it will continue with this growth and development. We will see where it takes us in terms of what it is capable of providing. I am excited that he was able to show this and I think it is reasonable for me or for him to expect this overall trajectory to continue. “
Chase Claypool and Kevin Dotson
The Steelers had more contributions from its rookie class in 2020 than anticipated for the season. Coach Tomlin was asked about the positive contributions of players still under contract after 2020 and he specifically mentioned newcomers Chase Claypool and Kevin Dotson specifically.
“I will say this, I was very pleased with the contributions and the level of maturity shown by the draft team, given the circumstances of how they entered the season. To get the kind of contribution we get from Chase Claypool or Kevin Dotson and the growth and development of some of the others over the course of the season, it’s a tip for them and the people who worked alongside them, coaches – and not just coaches , the other players and older players who guided them. Overall, I was satisfied with that and I am excited to put them on an off-season mentoring program that may be more normal and it is reasonable to expect that these types of contributions will continue to solidify and improve. “
For a complete recap of Mike Tomlin’s press conference, check out our recap podcast below:
Mike Tomlin’s interview can be seen here: