Steelers' Mike Tomlin Fully Aware All Eyes Are On Him Throughout Pre-Draft Process: 'Sometimes I Have Fun With You Guys'

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is entering his 18th year in his job. There's not much he hasn't seen and he's got a full understanding that people pay close attention to not only his words, but also his actions. This is especially prominent during the scouting before an NFL Draft. With that understanding that he's constantly being watched like a hawk, Tomlin said sometimes he likes to have a little fun with those keeping a keen eye on him. 

While meeting with the media for a pre-draft press conference on Monday alongside General Manager Omar Khan, Tomlin was asked about the interest he showed in now-Steelers quarterback Justin Fields during the Ohio State Pro Day in 2021. Pittsburgh wasn't in the market for a quarterback, but many took note of Tomlin's apparent fascination with the prospect. 

"Sometimes at Pro Days, I look at someone I'm not interested in because I know that everyone is watching," he said. "I understand my movement, what I pay attention to, who I converse with, all becomes media fodder, and so sometimes I have fun with you guys."

Khan said later during the press conference that sometimes even he is fooled by Tomlin's actions at some of the events in the NFL scouting calendar.

Tomlin makes the trek to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama nearly every year. He's often seen engaging with prospects and taking an active role in coaching. He also uses it as an opportunity to get to know the players he might want to draft, or have to play against down the line. He was seen making the rounds again at the annual college all-star showcase in 2024. 

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has "Greater Passion" Than Anyone For Draft Process

Tomlin is known for how active he is in scouting college prospects and his thirst for all things football. He said that there are not a lot of other coaches that delve into the Pro Day circuit like he does. 

Every coach and general manager at this time of year is trying to find out everything they can to know whether a prospect is right for their organization and vice versa. Khan, who has been employed in professional football since 1997, said he hasn't found anyone with the infatuation for this kind of work that rivals Tomlin.

"I’ve never met anyone that has a greater passion for this and this process than Mike Tomlin. It’s awesome seeing him work at the Senior Bowl. I can tell you that the information he gets just being around the players, the other people who are there, and other coaches is pretty awesome."  

Tomlin can sometimes rub people the wrong way. At the end of his press conference, after the Steelers lost to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round, a question about his contract came up and he walked out without answering. To endear himself, he opened his next press conference with a joke about if anyone wanted to ask him about contract questions, before addressing it.

At the end of the day, football is supposed to be fun. Tomlin does diligent work scouting prospects that Khan believes are invaluable to the organization and he has a little fun with the media while he does it.

Professional football teams are always under the microscope of the media for the hungry fans of the teams they cheer for to get all the information they can. Tomlin is very aware of it, and so, sometimes he decides to have a little fun with it.