Steelers' Mike Tomlin Detailed He's Being 'Really Transparent' When Saying Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, And Arthur Smith Are 'Scalded'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have every reason to feel hopeful as they get closer to the 2024 season. An offseason that was spent adding legitimate upgrades to both sides of the ball was followed up by a draft that is being almost universally hailed as excellent around the league. Mike Tomlin is excited to start building upon this foundation, and it isn't just the talent that makes him eager to hit the ground running. Many new faces in the facility have chips on their shoulders, and Tomlin believes that will lead to success.

After somehow navigating a frustrating 2023 campaign, Tomlin is looking forward to what 2024 holds in store for the franchise. New Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and both new quarterbacks, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, came to the Steelers after unceremonious ends to their prior respective situations. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports and Good Morning Football spoke with Tomlin on Saturday to see how the head coach feels about the additions, and how they got there.

"It's going really well. All three guys, you know, to be really transparent, are somewhat scalded, you know? They got something to prove professionally, um, but we as a collective feel the same way. We have something to prove, and I just think that is a good frame of mind to be in as individuals and as a collective as we prepare ourselves for the 2024 season. You know, it's not fun to relocate or get fired or things of that nature, but as competitors, man, it always motivates us in the right way, and I'm excited about working with the men that you mentioned."

Fields began his career as the Chicago Bears' first-round pick in 2021 NFL Draft. The high hopes for him to become the franchise quarterback for the Bears lasted three seasons, resulting in him being traded to the Steelers for a 2025 conditional sixth-round pick. Even if Fields' playing time does trigger the pick to move up two rounds in 2025, it is a tremendous value for little risk. Fields is determined to prove that he is still the elite quarterback the Bears took a chance on, even if he is doing it with the Steelers now.

Wilson, who will enter Pittsburgh's 2024 training camp as the starter, is coming off two seasons with the Denver Broncos that would best be left in the past. Denver acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks, costing the Broncos Drew Lock, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks, and a fifth-rounder. The Broncos wasted no time in locking Wilson down with a $124-million contract that was fully guaranteed.

It took the Broncos two seasons to want to move on, and they wanted to so badly that the Steelers are only paying Wilson $1.2 million of his hefty contract; the Broncos are on the hook for the rest. Wilson took the Seahawks to two consecutive Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Broncos. With a fresh start in Pittsburgh, both Wilson and the Steelers are hoping to get the veteran passer back to competing for championships again.

Steelers New Coordinator Ready For New Start

The Steelers want to distance themselves from the debacle that was Matt Canada's offensive approach, which got the team nowhere in his time with Pittsburgh. It all came to a head when the Steelers historically fired Canada mid-season in 2023, opening the door for Smith to enter during the 2024 offseason. 

Smith was the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons from 2021 to 2023, and the results were not what either Smith or the Falcons hoped for. Atlanta never won more than seven games in a season during his tenure, and Smith was slammed for being unable to utilize the Falcons' young offensive weapons.

However, with only the offense to focus on in Pittsburgh, the aim is to get Smith back to what he does best: running the football. Smith was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans for 2019 and 2020, allowing Derrick Henry to enjoy two of the best seasons in his NFL career. In 2019, Henry rushed for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns, topping that with 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2020.

Najee Harris is a very similar running back to Henry, and there is also Jaylen Warren to give the rushing attack a change of pace. Smith is set up for success in Pittsburgh, and with a ridiculously talented defense ready to have the offense's back, 2024 should be exactly what Smith needs to put the past behind him.

How many points will the Steelers' offense score per game in 2024?