If you’re part of the 12s, you know the Russell Wilson & Pete Carroll saga in Seattle… and the messy divorce that followed. Fingers hurled at each other, blame got shuffled, and Wilson packed his bags for Denver (only to find a whole new set of problems, sigh!). Despite the noise, Wilson finally broke the ice earlier in February this year: “In the midst of everybody talking all this noise about me and Pete, we’ve always forever been connected.” When the headlines paint a different picture, many things can get lost. It’s better that he cleared it out. Fast forward, and now Russ singing praises for his Steel City coach, Mike Tomlin.
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Wilson has drawn parallels between Tomlin and Carroll, calling both “culture builders.” But he believes Tomlin has some “uncommon” traits that set him apart. When we say some, what we really mean is many. Because, there are quite a few things that make Mike a standout in Russ’s eyes.
“Obviously, to win, I don’t know, 18 years in a row of winning seasons is unheard of. It’s remarkable. I think there’s only two or three other coaches that ever done that before. And so I think he’s uncommon in that way. He’s uncommon in that way. He’s uncommon in the way he loves the game,” simple things that are expected outta all the HCs, but Wilson believes Tomlin’s got a bit of his own touch somewhere in there.
Russell Wilson praises Mike Tomlin: "Well, I think when you think about Coach Tomlin, I think first of all of his motivation, his is embracing of each player, each coach, each person in the organization. He wants our best. I think the best thing about it is he challenges us to be Show more
But that’s not it, as he continued: “He’s uncommon in his authenticity. I think he’s uncommon in his approach, his understanding of the game, defensively and offensively. He challenges us to be our best every day.” It’s not just about football; it’s about authenticity, motivation, and understanding players as people. A coach who sits with his quarterback for early morning meetings? That’s not your average playbook.
Tomlin’s record speaks for itself. Eighteen consecutive non-losing seasons? That’s a dynasty-level stat. Compare that to Carroll, who brought a Super Bowl and some unforgettable moments to Seattle. Both are Hall of Fame-worthy, but Tomlin’s ability to adapt and thrive in a hyper-competitive AFC makes him stand out. Wilson seems to think so, too. Describing Tomlin as “the world’s best.” Strong words, but coming from a QB with a track record like Wilson’s, they carry weight.
But if for some reason you think Mr. Clutch’s words are not enough… Here’s a comparison for you.
| Coach | Current Team | Years Active | Regular Season Record | Playoffs Record | SB Wins | Divisional Titles | Notable Achievements |
| Mike Tomlin | Pittsburgh Steelers | 2007-Present | 182-103-2 | 8-10 | 1 | 7 | Most consecutive winning seasons to start a career (18) |
| Pete Carroll | Seattle Seahawks | 2010-2023 | 170-120-1 | 11-11 | 1 | 5 | Only coach to win a SB and a College championship |
See, we are not saying one’s better than the other. I mean, even Wilson didn’t say that. Plus, if you add to the fact that Russ has not gotten served to him on a platter in either of the places, his words literally hit like a truth bomb. He simply credits Tomlin’s knack for anticipation—knowing the game beyond Xs and Os and spotting key moments before they happen. It’s like having a coach who calls an audible before the defense even lines up.
But we should not really forget what’s at stake here… For Pitts, for Tomlin, and also for #3.
Russell Wilson’s last shot at glory
Russell Wilson said what he said about Mike Tomlin being “the world’s best.” But it also holds up the eerie picture – it may be now or never for him before he hung his cleats.
Wilson hasn’t seen a playoff win since 2020, and Tomlin’s last postseason triumph? 2016. It’s like they’re both playing for that redemption season where they can rewrite the script. Pittsburgh’s playoff drought has hung over like it’s a painting in the Louvre. This is one of those stats where the franchise, the coach, and the QB are all in tandem…but they wished they were not! However, now might just be the time to break this taxing cycle. Here’s why we say this:
With five games left in the season, the Steelers (9-3) are sitting pretty as favorites to win the AFC North. A 75% chance to take the division? That’s fireworks in Pittsburgh. If they pull it off, it’ll be their first division title since 2020. It feels like the stars are aligning—or at least, the stats are. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; the AFC is a minefield (you know how it is with the Chiefs and the Ravens), and transitioning quarterbacks is like calling a trick play—it could go spectacularly or blow up in your face.
The win over the Commanders felt like a defining moment. Down 10 points in the second half, Pittsburgh didn’t flinch. Wilson launched a moon ball to Mike Williams for the go-ahead score. (AH! Talking about the moonball, Wilson’s got everyone hooked on it). The defense held firm, and they secured the kind of gritty, come-from-behind victory that playoff teams are made of. In years past, a game like this might’ve been a blowout loss. But this time? The Steelers answered every challenge like a team that believes in itself.
But can they keep this momentum rolling? Chemistry is going to be everything, and both Wilson and Tomlin know it. Bottom line? This isn’t just about stats or wins. It’s about trust and move…just like a pass-and-play move.