Duck Hodges Recalls Steelers' Mike Tomlin's Harsh Next Man Up Mentality: "Get The Job Done [Or] We'll Find Someone Else" (Steelers News)
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Duck Hodges Recalls Steelers' Mike Tomlin's Harsh Next Man Up Mentality: "Get The Job Done [Or] We'll Find Someone Else"

Don Wright / Associated Press
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The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the most stable quarterback situations throughout the NFL throughout nearly two decades of the 21st century. Ben Roethlisberger was drafted by the organization in 2004, and held the top spot on the depth chart entering each year spanning from 2005 to 2021. The fan base was extremely spoiled, and it has been rather upsetting since because the team can't seem to find the future at the position in the present day. One season in the future Hall of Famer's career, however, did not go as planned. Early in 2019, he suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2.

Steelers Ben Roethlisberger

Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Retired Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attempts to escape a Cincinnati Bengals defender during a regular season home game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.

Many believed the Steelers' season was over at that point, but a duo of Mason Rudolph and Devlin "Duck" Hodges kept the team in the playoff hunt. A stout defense also helped the cause, but no one thought it was possible for Head Coach Mike Tomlin to flirt with the postseason after Roethlisberger had to have season-ending surgery on his right elbow. Despite not getting into the tournament, it was one of Tomlin's most impressive coaching jobs.

That was an extremely interesting year for Hodges, who recently sat down to speak with The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller. He mentioned that he never really expected to get elevated from the practice squad that year, but one thing led to another, and he was starting games for the Steelers. One of his more intriguing memories was regarding how Tomlin was as a coach. No matter who you were, your job had to be done right, or someone else would be given the opportunity.

"Coach Tomlin, he's the man," Hodges stated. "I mean, what y'all hear him say, that's what he believes in. Yeah, next man up. It's, 'Hey, next man up, and if you don't get the job done, we'll find somebody else to do it.'"

This ideology from Tomlin was proven when Rudolph was benched in favor of Hodges in the middle of an AFC North battle against the Cincinnati Bengals in late November. This wasn't Hodges' first time getting the nod, as he also saw time in two games earlier in that year due to Rudolph having a concussion. The NFL is a business and coaches want to win at all costs. It's clear that Tomlin doesn't care whose feelings are hurt. His job is to win football games no matter what it takes.

Steelers Mike Tomlin

Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the grounds as his team warms up at the annual night practice during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.

Hodges was thrown into the fire back in 2019, not having any true professional experience. He wasn't supposed to be a star NFL quarterback, but he did get the opportunity to play for one of the most decorated franchises in sports history. He had games that were both good and bad, but he earned the respect of Tomlin, which is why he received a chance.

The Steelers have yet to having a losing season under Tomlin, and while most fans are sick of hearing that fact, the head coach is doing something right. Hodges' memories of being in the locker room do confirm the fact that the future Hall of Fame coach does what he can to treat everyone the same. Because of this, anyone can receive the opportunity of a lifetime, similarly to what Hodges experienced not too long after Roethlisberger's 2019 injury.

Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger Duck Hodges

Gene Puskar / AP

Former Steelers quarterbacks Devlin "Duck" Hodges (left) and Ben Roethlisberger (right) look on towards the video board during a home game at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.


Steelers Need Tomlin's Best Coaching Job In 2025

Pittsburgh has a revamped roster as the 2025 regular season rapidly approaches. It won't be easy to get all the new faces on the same page, so Tomlin will have to work some magic yet again. No one expected the team to finish at .500 in 2019, and many are already writing it off for 2025. One thing holds true, however, and that is the fact that Tomlin is going to do everything he can to win football games.


Do you think that Tomlin plays any favorites at all in the Steelers' locker room? Let us know in the comments below!

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