HH. BREAKING: Mike Tomlin erupts with a fiery message to critics after backlash intensifies

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is standing firm in the face of mounting pressure after a tough stretch for the team. With the Steelers struggling to find consistent success, many are quick to point fingers, but Tomlin remains unwavering in his belief that one misstep does not define his team.

“I know the pressure is building, but this team isn’t about one misstep,” Tomlin said. “It’s about the resilience we show in tough times. Art [Rooney II] knows I’m committed, and together, we’ll find the path forward. This is how champions are made — not by avoiding mistakes, but by learning from them.”

The Steelers have faced their fair share of adversity this season. With injuries, inconsistent play, and a tough schedule, the team has not been able to find the rhythm that fans and analysts were hoping for. However, Tomlin’s words serve as a reminder that his leadership philosophy goes beyond just the scoreboard — it’s about how the team responds when things don’t go according to plan.

Criticism has been mounting on Tomlin’s leadership, with many questioning whether his methods are still effective in today’s NFL. After years of success and consistency, the Steelers’ lack of recent playoff success has led to questions about Tomlin’s ability to bring the team back to elite status. Despite the noise, Tomlin’s response has been calm and collected. He knows that a single loss or misstep is not enough to judge the entire season or his leadership.

“This team is built on resilience,” he continued. “We don’t shy away from adversity. We face it head-on, learn from it, and grow stronger. We’ve been here before, and we’ll get through this, just like we always do.”

Tomlin’s leadership has always been about more than just the wins and losses — it’s about instilling a culture of accountability, growth, and perseverance. He knows that a true champion isn’t made in a season of perfect play, but in a season where the team fights back from setbacks and emerges stronger on the other side.

With the pressure mounting, the Steelers will need to rally behind their coach and find a way to turn the season around. But Tomlin’s confidence in the team’s resilience provides a steady hand, reminding everyone that it’s not the mistakes that define a team, but how they respond to them.

For the Steelers, the road to redemption will take time, but with Tomlin at the helm, they are poised to keep fighting for their place in the postseason. The team may have stumbled, but they have not fallen. And as Tomlin said, it’s the resilience they show in these tough times that will determine their future.

Former All-Pro LB Eric Kendricks could provide needed boost to 49ers defense amid injury issues

The San Francisco 49ers signed veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks to their practice squad on Wednesday, per a team announcement.

Kendricks spent the first eight years of his career with the Vikings before a one-year stint with the Chargers in 2023. He nearly signed in San Francisco during the 2024 offseason before reversing course and joining the Cowboys instead. He started 15 games and led the team with 138 tackles, marking his ninth straight season with at least 100 tackles. The 33-year-old did not re-sign in Dallas despite a significant late-season injury to DeMarvion Overshown that sidelined him into 2025.

Kendricks received little interest this offseason and declined an October invitation from the Ravens to join their practice squad. He turned Baltimore down for the same reason he spurned the 49ers last spring: his desire for guaranteed playing time, as opposed to fighting for a starting job or contributing to a rotation. San Francisco been losing defenders left and right this season, including multiple inside linebackers. Fred Warner went down with a season-ending injury in October and his replacement, Tatum Bethune, is expected to miss at least one more game with a high-ankle sprain. That will give Kendricks an opportunity to play right away, which, this late in the season, was enough to motivate a signing.

Curtis Robinson replaced Bethune when he went down in Week 11 and got the start in Week 12. He struggled, earning just a 32.0 grade from Pro Football Focus and missed two of his four tackle attempts. Kendricks will likely be an upgrade who could help the 8-4 49ers secure a playoff spot. Despite their strong record, they still sit in third place in the NFC West and may need a wild-card berth to make the postseason.

In a corresponding move to signing Kendricks, the 49ers released undrafted rookie linebacker Stone Blanton from their practice squad.