As he walked off the field after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ third-straight win Saturday, head coach Mike Tomlin kept repeating the same phrase.
“Off the couch … off the couch … off the couch,” Tomlin repeated, almost like a malfunctioning android, as he walked into the tunnel at M&T Bank Stadium after Pittsburgh’s 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The phrase is a reference to a couple of recent additions the Steelers made of players who were either retired or on the practice squad who have stepped up big for the team in recent weeks.
Coach Mike Tomlin came off the field yelling “off the couch” — presumably in reference to any number of the Steelers defensive players who came off PS or out of retirement and had big contributions today. Myles Jack among them. pic.twitter.com/6jlcmVbpZi
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 7, 2024
Tomlin called out two of those players, safety Eric Rowe and linebacker Myles Jack, in his post-game media session.
“Can’t say enough about Eric Rowe. … his efforts, Myles Jack’s efforts, just solidifying us in some position where we were low on manpower, ” Tomlin said (via SteelersDepot.com). “Those two guys have been significant, not only today, but over the last three weeks in terms of what we’ve done.”
Tomlin’s remarks to reporters and his “off the couch” slogan were a nice tribute to Rowe and Jack. It’s the third straight game both players have been elevated off the practice squad and made a contribution. Rowe forced a key turnover in the fourth quarter against the Ravens.
Eric Rowe punches out the football to force the turnover in the 4th! Huge play by the former Dolphin‼️pic.twitter.com/7kITALwJmF
— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) January 7, 2024
It’s understandable why Tomlin felt good after the game. The three straight wins keeps Pittsburgh (10-7) alive in the postseason chase. The Steelers will make the playoffs with a loss by either Buffalo or Jacksonville. Yet X/Twitter users generally roasted Tomlin for that “Off the couch” remark, although a few Steelers fans appreciated it.
Most of the ravens playing tonight were “off the couch”
— Football Analyst (@prof_analyst1) January 7, 2024
Great story…HOF coach… fortunate to have him…#Steelersnation #Equity https://t.co/UalGHaPSdm
— Perry Harrop (@CoachPerryH) January 7, 2024
Are they in the Super Bowl or will they be watching on the couch again this year
— Bill Caye (@william_caye_ll) January 7, 2024
I think it was maybe more about people thinking our season was over and we were already on the couch watching.
— Jim (@BurghFan99) January 7, 2024
Mike Tomlin. The barely backup beater.
— hoolbud (@hooladoof) January 7, 2024
Go get a punter “off the couch” please.
CALL BRAD WING BACK. https://t.co/hoANVSqQSF
— TheRealSteel (@ThatRealSteel) January 7, 2024
He’s earned his fair share of criticism with the staffing/qb choices. But this right here is why you can’t let that man leave. Guys show up for him more often than not https://t.co/UmOKutkXIw
— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) January 7, 2024
I just want in the playoffs where we would have been have we beaten the two 2-10 teams…. pic.twitter.com/Ts4yRX3TOU
— PIT Steeler Football (@PITSteelerFB) January 7, 2024
Hey Coach, you beat a team fielding backups. Slow your roll. Wake me up when you actually win a playoff game. It’s been at least a decade.
— Midnight Rider 1966 (@Toph441) January 7, 2024
