Several Steelers Players Quickly Admit Something Has Changed With Mike Tomlin

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was among the most disliked men in the Steel City just a few weeks ago. That is the harsh reality of coaching in the NFL, and no one understands it better than Tomlin. When wins are hard to come by, patience disappears quickly, and many Steelers fans once again accused their longtime head coach of being stuck in his ways. The familiar criticisms returned. Not aggressive enough. Not bold enough. Not willing to adapt to the modern-day NFL.

One thing, however, stood out in Monday night’s 28 to 15 win over the Miami Dolphins. The Steelers’ offense went just 4 for 13 on third down and at one point started 0 for 6, a stat line that usually spells trouble. Yet despite those struggles, Pittsburgh never truly lost control of the game. The difference came on fourth down, where the Steelers were uncharacteristically aggressive. Tomlin and his staff went 3 for 3 on key fourth-down decisions, a bold approach that kept drives alive and prevented Miami from gaining real momentum.

That aggression did not go unnoticed inside the locker room. Steelers great value running back Kenneth Gainwell, who has quietly emerged as a hero of the offense during the 2025 season, made it clear he welcomed the shift. Speaking with Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday, Gainwell praised Tomlin’s willingness to be aggressive, a mindset that players believe shows trust, confidence, and a head coach who may be embracing a different version of himself at the right time.

"It was very smart," Gainwell said while speaking with Fittipaldo on Wednesday. "I loved his aggressiveness, and it paid off... I think if we ever get to a 3rd and 2, we should just go for the push regardless."

Gainwell knows all about the tush push from his 2024 season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he backed up superstar running back Saquon Barkley. The Steelers clearly noticed the value he brought to the table while much of the rest of the league seemed to be sleeping on him. Pittsburgh was able to land Gainwell on an incredible one year, $1.79 million deal, a move that is already paying off early in the season.

Gainwell is starting to look more confident running the Steelers’ version of the tush push, and that growing comfort is likely a major reason Tomlin feels more at ease staying aggressive on fourth down. When a head coach trusts his personnel in short yardage situations, the decision becomes much easier. For Pittsburgh, that trust is clearly forming.

Left tackle Dylan Cook also played a key role, making his first career start and turning in a strong performance. Cook spoke about the collective mindset of the offense, emphasizing the confidence that comes with staying on the field during make or break downs. It is a mentality shift that reflects a team buying into a more aggressive identity.

"Loved it," Cook said. "Keep us out there... Buckle up. Let’s stay on the field. It sparked the whole team."

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has Faith In His Offense Now

The bigger question now is whether this version of Tomlin is here to stay. One bold night does not erase years of frustration, but it does signal awareness, evolution, and trust in the locker room. 

The Steelers are not suddenly perfect on offense, but they are playing with conviction when it matters most. If Tomlin continues to lean into his personnel and embrace aggression in critical moments, it could change how this team closes games. For a fanbase desperate for progress, that shift alone feels significant.

Do you believe this aggressive version of Mike Tomlin is a real turning point for the Steelers, or just a short term adjustment that disappears once the pressure rises again? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

#SteelerNation