Mike Tomlin is known around the league for being a players’ coach. He enjoys joking around just as much as he does mentoring and helping to be the best version of themselves.
While nursing a hamstring injury until at least after the Week 6 bye, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson was attended to by an athletic trainer and member of the receivers’ staff at practice today.
Buy Steelers TicketsTomlin strolls by and notices all of the pampering he’s getting. “Whatever you need,” he joked with Johnson. “I’ll get somebody here fanning a towel on your ass.”
All joking aside… “But you better play like that.”
#Steeles Mike Tomlin to Diontae Johnson: "Whatever you need. I'll get somebody here fanning a towel on your ass." 😂pic.twitter.com/HycizcOFW8
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 27, 2023
Once Johnson returns, the Steelers expect him to play worthy of the attention he’s gotten (his $37 million contract notwithstanding). With the exception of a couple of explosive touchdowns — which just so happen to be the NFL’s longest pass plays — the receivers are struggling. It’s a result of Kenny Pickett trying to get his groove back, subpar offensive line play and questionable play-calling, but having Johnson back in the mix should do them some good.
