Former Steelers DB Patrick Peterson Throws Shade At Kenny Pickett Revealed In Secret Text Message With Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to release veteran defensive back Patrick Peterson after just one season with the team. Despite this, Peterson has expressed hope that he can return to play under Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin in the 2024 season. Whether the two parties can reach an agreement remains to be seen.

In a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Peterson shared some insights about his connection with Tomlin. He revealed that upon learning about the Steelers signing Russell Wilson, he immediately texted Tomlin. During the show, Peterson provided some details about the text, emphasizing his enthusiasm about the Steelers finally having a quarterback with credibility.

“And I even text him right after they signed Russell. I said, now you finally got you a quarterback that, that has credibility. A guy who’s going to be in the lineup that you can count on. Being in the lineup week in and week out, now is just going to be putting the right pieces around him… They have the pieces for Russell to be successful.”

Peterson highlighted how the addition of Wilson would alleviate some of the challenges Tomlin has faced since the retirement of the legendary Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers' 2023 quarterback, Kenny Pickett, unfortunately, suffered injuries, with his last game ending in a significant injury. It was a disappointing end to Pickett's career in the Steel City, but it also underscored Tomlin's coaching prowess and ability to navigate difficult situations.

“Now they have a guy that doesn’t have a report of being on the injury report, or a guy that’s not in the lineup. Now it’s just going to be on Russell showcasing his talent, such that he did in Seattle.”

Naturally, host Jim Rome asked Peterson about Tomlin’s response to his text. Peterson laughed and shared Tomlin's reply, adding a light-hearted moment to the conversation.

“Hahahaha, he said we got us one, so let’s see how the season unfolds.”

During the podcast, Peterson expressed deep admiration for Tomlin, revealing that his primary motivation for wanting to return to the Steelers is to play under Tomlin's leadership. He acknowledged the challenges Tomlin has faced since Roethlisberger's retirement, but noted Tomlin's excitement about the Steelers' new quarterback additions.

Peterson elaborated on Tomlin's exceptional coaching record, emphasizing that in his 17 seasons with the Steelers, Tomlin has never had a losing season. Now, with Wilson at quarterback, Tomlin has a proven leader who has won a Super Bowl and been to nine Pro Bowls. Wilson, coming from a difficult situation with the Denver Broncos, is eager to regain his elite status in Pittsburgh. Peterson believes that Tomlin's leadership, combined with Wilson's experience and drive, will be a formidable combination for the Steelers.

Steelers' Offense Struggled Under Kenny Pickett

The Steelers struggled under Pickett, with their offense ranking among the worst in the league during his tenure. However, the blame cannot be placed solely on Pickett. He faced injuries, a poor system, and a struggling offensive coordinator. Despite these challenges, Pickett managed to lead the team to victories and performed well in critical moments. Unfortunately, he couldn't sustain offensive drives consistently or throw for many touchdown passes. Following the Steelers' signing of Wilson, Pickett requested a trade, and the team granted his wish.

With Wilson, the Steelers are poised for a much better 2024 season compared to the previous year. Excitement is building in Pittsburgh as the team has made significant improvements. The defense has been bolstered, the quarterback position upgraded with Wilson, and special teams have seen enhancements. With these changes, the Steelers have a strong chance of ending their playoff win drought in the 2024 season.