Mike Tomlin Steelers
For the first time in 19 years, Mike Tomlin won’t patrol the Pittsburgh Steelers’ sideline come this Sunday. He thinks the team will earn a victory in the first game without him. Making his prediction for Week One, Tomlin believes the Mike McCarthy era starts off on a strong note.
“It’s less about Aaron for me,” Tomlin said on NBC following Wednesday night’s season opener. “It’s more about the quarterback on the other side. His last visit to Pittsburgh didn’t go well. I was in the stadium that day. They lost, he got benched.
“I think it’s going to be a good day for Mike McCarthy, Patrick Graham, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and company…I’m gonna go with the Steelers.”
Mike Tomlin is going with the Steelers over the Falcons #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/puCbUOL2rq
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 10, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons announced Tua Tagovailoa as their starter. As Tomlin alluded to, Tagovailoa faced the Steelers on a Monday night late last year while a member of the Miami Dolphins. He threw an interception on the opening possession and struggled to find his stride until the game was decided in the fourth quarter. After a 28-15 loss, Miami benched Tagovailoa for the rest of the season.
It would be his final down for the franchise, released in the offseason and signing with the Falcons in an attempt to rebuild his career.
Pittsburgh can create the same adversity for Tagovailoa on Sunday. The Steelers’ have a strong front seven capable of limiting stud RB Bijan Robinson and putting the game in Tagovailoa’s hands. Tagovailoa struggled in the preseason and could face the same hardship on the road against the Steelers’ front.
On paper, Pittsburgh’s secondary has talent but had limited reps together this summer due to injury and CB Joey Porter Jr.’s contract impasse. Porter’s status for the opener remains in question.
Tomlin’s response is hardly a stretch nor is it surprising. Still, his reasons are well-founded. McCarthy and the rest of Steelers’ Nation is hoping Tomlin’s first prediction rings true.