Steelers Fans Get Inspiring Response From Mike Tomlin When Asked About Mike Williams' Lack Of Involvement

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very successful season so far in 2024, and a big reason for that is some of the additions made by General Manager Omar Khan. Offseason signings like Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott have proved to be very beneficial, as has the impeccable 2024 draft class. The additions didn't stop once the season began, as Khan made deals to acquire both Mike Williams and Preston Smith when the trade deadline rolled around.

Khan was looking for a receiver to pair with George Pickens since the start of training camp, and he finally found a strong candidate in Williams. Pittsburgh acquired him from the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick, and the trade paid immediate dividends for the Steelers as Williams caught the game-winning touchdown against the Washington Commanders. This was the receiver's first game with Pittsburgh, and many fans thought it was a sign of what was to come. However, that has not been the case. Williams has barely been featured since scoring at Northwest Stadium, and it is starting to become a concern.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin held his weekly press conference on Tuesday, and was asked what it will take to get Williams involved in the passing game.

"It's going to happen," Tomlin said. "It's simply a matter of time. I was really encouraged by the play-making that he made during the week in preparation for the game. Often times when you're making plays in preparation, it ultimately shows up in play, and so I don't think any of us are pushing the panic button in that regard. I think all of us are just anxiously awaiting what we're looking at day-to-day, to turn up with a higher level consistency, in stadium, in terms of the opportunity."

Tomlin states that Williams has been making plays in practice, but he has only been targeted once throughout the four games he has played with the Steelers. He hauled that one pass in for a 32-yard touchdown, but he has gone without seeing the ball in the three games since then. 

If Williams has been making great plays during practice, he should be on the field in games more often. The wide receiver's snap total has steadily decreased over the last three games, and guys like Van Jefferson are seeing more snaps and targets than him. Over the last three contests, Williams has played 25 snaps, 19 snaps, and 17 snaps, respectively. It is hard to get a lot of production out of a guy who is consistently on the field for less than 30 percent of a team's offensive plays.

The good news is that Williams doesn't seem to care, and he just wants to win. He took to social media after the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13, and the veteran receiver seems just to be happy to be on a team that has a chance to win their division, which is something he has never done in his career.

Steelers Could Be Waiting To Unleash Mike Williams

There is the slight chance that the coaching staff is not playing Williams or scheming him open when he is in the game as a strategic play. Pittsburgh has big games at the end of the season against the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs, and Tomlin might not want to put Williams on tape until they get to that gauntlet. 

It is a lot harder to plan for an offense when the defense has no idea how the offense will use some of their weapons, and Tomlin might just be keeping Williams under wraps until he needs him to produce. Fans should certainly expect to see more of the receiver, especially as the playoffs begin to approach.

What do you think about Tomlin's response? Let us know in the comments below!

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