Mike Tomlin has never been one to overreact. A blowout victory, a nasty loss, or a forgettable scrimmage. It’s all the same to Tomlin, who approaches every preseason snap as yet another data point in a much larger picture. Saturday night’s effort was no exception. Tomlin remained even-keel, surveying the sideline with his customary mix of calm authority and intense focus, observing how his players reacted when placed in game-speed situations.

That poise was rewarded with the type of news every NFL coach wants in preseason—little injury fallout.“We kind of got through the game virtually injury free,” Tomlin said following the game. “I think Cam McCutcheon got taken out with a soft tissue injury, maybe a hamstring that needs to be evaluated. But other than that, we were pretty clean.” His reference emphasized how much it is worth to leave an early exhibition. With health and film in hand to develop from. For a depth chart still waging battles, keeping serious injuries at bay preserves the competitive balance coming into the next round of gauges.

It’s an especially welcome outcome considering the wounds of 2024. Last year, injuries, most notably soft-tissue maladies. Eroded depth and derailed consistency throughout Pittsburgh. The franchise experienced a concerning spike in hamstring and muscle pulls. A slide to last place among NFL strength and conditioning programs. And a precipitous drop in player confidence regarding injury avoidance.

Injuries and playing-time restrictions hampered wide receiver Roman Wilson‘s first season. Zach Frazier struggled with an ankle injury for weeks. And in perhaps the most harrowing scene, sixth-round pick Ryan Watts sustained a neck injury that forced him to medically retire. Amidst such a backdrop, exiting a game in good shape is more than a matter of good fortune; each small victory counts.

The 2024 numbers tell the story. Pittsburgh‘s injury woes weren‘t one-offs; they defined the season. Depth was a ghost, player development stagnated, and competitive games were reduced to survival mode. So, when Tomlin describes his team as “virtually injury free,” it‘s not relief alone; it‘s the beginning of erasing a painful page. With the preseason still in its infancy, the Steelers realize that the streak must continue if they hope to have their roster in one piece when it matters most.

Mason Rudolph makes ‘aggressive’ admission

But even as Tomlin embraced the encouraging injury report. The offense earned its own headlines, especially from Mason Rudolph. The veteran quarterback gave credit to new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for calling up an aggressive game plan early. ”Arthur did a good job of calling some aggressive shots over the middle. You know, first couple plays and first drive,” Rudolph said. Noting how receiver Roman Wilson’s tough grab kind of got them going. For a team balancing roster evaluations with execution, those early offensive punches were more than just scripted plays. They were proof that Pittsburgh’s attack might lean into calculated risks as the preseason unfolds.

That “fun“ was anything but a mere afterthought. It was an early-season indication of a desire to stretch the field and push the pace. For an offense that has been accused far too often of being too cautious. The sound of the quarterback speaking in terms of “aggressive“ so early in preseason is significant. It reads that Smith‘s play-calling mind is already taking hold and that the Steelers may be prepared to test opposing defenses in unfamiliar ways.

The chemistry with his targets, particularly Wilson, could prove to be crucial as the Steelers look to stretch out their offense. Wilson reportedly improved this offseason, making a number of plays that stood out during training camp. But the Steelers’ initial 2025 depth chart still had him as a third-teamer and fifth wide receiver overall. His ability to make plays in tight situations is the kind of utility a quarterback can rely on to establish trust in a more downfield passing attack. And for a team whose depth at QB could be a concern. Rudolph being so at ease and efficient inside the pocket only bolsters the Steelers’ situation going into the regular season.

Tomlin, the ultimate strategist, recognizes that walking the line between health and development is an art form. As he described it was a “productive night on a lot of fronts.” One such front is obviously developing identity on offense. One that now appears on the cusp of taking on a little more risk and a whole lot more reward. Between escaping uninjured with only minor injuries and witnessing hostile execution at the hands of his quarterback. Tomlin received exactly what every coach wishes for in the preseason. A team that‘s healthy, hungry, and developing toward something greater.