Cameron Heyward’s Reflection on Mike Tomlin’s Challenge

Cameron Heyward sat in the dimly lit meeting room, staring intently at the four-letter acronym displayed on the screen. As Mike Tomlin, the legendary head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, passionately addressed his players about their upcoming opponent, the message began to resonate deeply with Heyward. He’s speaking about me. The focus of Tomlin’s speech was Dexter Lawrence, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the New York Giants, but the underlying message was a direct challenge to Heyward, a 14th-year interior lineman and three-time All-Pro, who was on the brink of making franchise history by appearing in his 202nd regular-season game.

The acronym that sparked this revelation was “WGFO,” which stood for “We Gonna Find Out.”

“At first, I was bewildered, thinking, ‘What’s he talking about?’” Heyward recalled on Monday. “But then it clicked — it was about proving I could still compete at a high level, just like Lawrence, who is nine years younger than me.” Tomlin’s unique way of motivating his players, blending humor with the hard truths of the sport, exemplified his coaching style.

“He knows how to connect with every guy on this team,” Heyward remarked about Tomlin. “It’s all about building relationships with each player who enters that locker room. He interacts with us daily at practice and continues those conversations afterward. His presence creates an environment where chaos is minimized.”

The Unwavering Success of Mike Tomlin

Despite being the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL, Mike Tomlin often finds himself overlooked and underappreciated. Since taking the helm of the Steelers in 2007, he has maintained an astonishing record of never finishing a season with a losing record. This remarkable feat stands out in a league designed to promote competitive balance, making his achievement even more astounding.

Yet, despite his success — which includes a Super Bowl victory, two AFC championships, and 188 combined regular season and postseason wins — he has never received the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award. This lack of recognition has frustrated some fans, particularly those disillusioned by recent playoff disappointments.

However, as Tomlin guides the Steelers to a 7-2 record this season, his coaching prowess is once again coming to the forefront. His adept management of a potential quarterback controversy, the integration of a new offensive scheme, and the revitalization of a defense with five new starters all showcase his skill. The Steelers have also excelled in special teams, with their only two losses coming by just three points each.

With a thrilling 28-27 road victory over the Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh appears poised to compete with the best teams in the AFC. They will face a crucial test this Sunday against the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens, who are closely trailing them in the AFC North standings. For the first time since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement in January 2022, the Steelers show signs of being able to win big games without solely leaning on their defense and special teams.

The Bold Decisions of Mike Tomlin

The key to the Steelers’ current success can largely be attributed to Tomlin’s boldness. Unlike many of his peers, he is unafraid to take risks, trusting his instincts and accepting the potential consequences. Tomlin’s fearless approach resonates with his players and fosters a culture of confidence.

The recent victory over the Commanders highlighted Tomlin’s audacity. While leading 7-0 in the first quarter, the Steelers attempted a surprise fake punt on fourth-and-15 from their own 16-yard line. Although the execution faltered, allowing the Commanders to tie the game shortly after, Tomlin stood by his decision, stating, “That is me. I own that, but I’d do it again.”

The Steelers rallied from a 24-14 deficit to secure the win with a late touchdown, showcasing the trust and belief Tomlin has in his players. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who had been a controversial signing after a rough stint with the Denver Broncos, delivered a standout performance. Wilson threw a high-arching deep ball to Mike Williams, who had just joined the team, sealing the victory in dramatic fashion.

Tomlin’s faith in Wilson was initially met with skepticism, especially after Wilson’s struggles in recent years. However, Tomlin remained steadfast in his belief that the former Seattle Seahawks star still possessed the qualities necessary to lead the Steelers to success. “I’m not trying to win games; I’m trying to win a world title here,” Tomlin explained. “I need to see what I have in both quarterbacks.”

Tomlin’s willingness to take risks has paid off; since Wilson took over as the starter, the Steelers have gone 3-0, averaging an impressive 30.7 points per game. Still, the road ahead poses significant challenges, including two matchups against the Ravens and games against formidable opponents like the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

As the season progresses, the question looms: can the Steelers rise to the occasion and secure a playoff victory for the first time in eight seasons? As Tomlin would say, WGFO.

(Top photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)