Steelers' Super Bowl XLIII Opponent Becomes Latest Player To Defend Mike Tomlin Amidst Chaotic 2023 Season

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been able to quiet the noise over the last few weeks. It's what he does best, and it's why he remains one of the best coaches in the league in his 17th season in Pittsburgh. After a three-game losing streak, Tomlin has been able to get his team back on track in the last two games. While they don't control their own destiny, a win on Saturday puts the Steelers in great position to make the postseason.

From there, they would need some help from either the Tennessee Titans or Miami Dolphins on Sunday. In the meantime, all of the naysayers that wanted Tomlin fired have gone quiet. Earlier in the week, it was Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce that admired Tomlin's long-sustained success. On Friday, it was Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald. In an appearance on the Let's Go podcast with Jim Gray, he came to the defense of Pittsburgh's head coach.

"It really bothers me to hear the slander of Coach Tomlin and how ungrateful some of these fans and pundits can be. You know, when you do something that consistent for that period of time in this league, when there's only three men that have ever done this in the 100-plus years of playing this game, you gotta tip your hat. It is so hard to go out there and win... I don't think the Steelers understand how difficult it is to be in the conversation every single year."

Fitzgerald went through some rough years with the Cardinals, as they were not competitive for most of his 17-year tenure there. He spent all 17 seasons of his NFL career with the Cardinals though and remained loyal throughout. In that span, the Cardinals made the playoffs just four times, which included a trip to the Super Bowl in 2008-2009. If you remember, the Steelers had troubles defending him in that Super Bowl XLIII.

In one of the most forgotten plays ever, he scored a 64-yard TD on that elite Steelers defense with just over minutes to go. The play gave the Cardinals a three-point lead, but Pittsburgh's offense came back down and responded with a game-winning touchdown. He knows what it's like to go through those growing pains and struggles. The Cardinals were .500 or worse in 12 of Fitzgerald's 17 years there. His praises for Tomlin didn't stop either, who he has clear admiration for.

"They're always in the conversation. When you're in the conversation, that means you have the chance to be able to go win that trophy. When you're sitting at home, watching the playoffs, you have zero chance of winning the playoff games. You got to tip your hat to Mike Tomlin, the guy has coached his a** for 17 years. It's been a lot of fun to watch," Fitzgerald said.

Again, we are just weeks removed from everybody wanting Tomlin out of Pittsburgh. At this point, that possibility seems to be all but gone. While his contract does run out after the 2024 season, the front office could extend him this offseason.

Should The Steelers Extend Tomlin's Contract This Offseason?

Unfortunately, the Steelers weren't bad enough to have the opportunity to draft Fitzgerald. The Cardinals took him with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, and he became worth every penny. In his 17-year career, he finished as an 11-time Pro Bowler. With no disrespect to some of his coaches in Arizona, he likely would've taken Tomlin in a heartbeat as his head coach. If there's one thing fans may have learned in the last two weeks, it's to appreciate Tomlin and his abilities as a head coach.

What are your memories of watching Fitzgerald make that long touchdown catch in SB XLIII? Where do you think he ranks amongst the best wide receivers of all-time? Do you agree with Fitzgerald and Kelce in their recent comments defending Tomlin? As always, share your thoughts on this topic or anything else Steelers-related in the comment section below, yinz!

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