Oftentimes, a bye week can help split an NFL team’s season into two segments. The Pittsburgh Steelers are likely taking a different approach given the timing of theirs.
This year, Mike Tomlin’s crew has the earliest bye week possible. Pittsburgh, in addition to the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, will enjoy Week 5 from the comfort of their own homes rather than being on the field.
Is such an early bye a good or bad thing? Tomlin explained following Sunday’s narrow victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Mike Tomlin Says Steelers’ Bye Week is ‘Appropriate’ Timing for Season
Tomlin believes no matter when the bye arrives, it’s always at the right time. Given he’s been around the Steelers organization for 19 years, he’s got a decent foundation from which to decide that.
“Good to get a win,” Tomlin said. “Good to go into the bye in the position we’re in. We’re leaking in some areas, so it’s probably at an appropriate time but to be honest with you, I’ve never had a bye that didn’t seem like it didn’t come at the appropriate time.”
The war of attrition is already setting in, so where does that leave Pittsburgh? Tomlin wants his players to get some rest and recovery in for the home stretch of the season.
After all, it’s what he told his team they’d be afforded.
“I promised them a sweet bye week if we got the business done,” Tomlin said. “I’ll probably have to fulfill that promise. There probably won’t be a lot of work in the week that lies ahead. We’ll get us a good bonus Monday and a good week’s work coming out of it, but they’re deserving of that. And as I mentioned, it’s probably appropriate because we’ve got a lot of people down.”
Considering how banged up this roster already is, maybe a light bye week isn’t a bad idea.
Pittsburgh’s Injuries Piling Up Ahead of Week 5 Bye
The Steelers came into Sunday’s game already down multiple pieces. Contributors like offensive lineman Max Scharping and defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk are on injured reserve. Running back Jaylen Warren was a late decision to sit out while he recovers from a knee injury.
Teryl Austin’s secondary is also in need of some R&R. Standout young cornerback Joey Porter Jr. hasn’t played since Week 1 and missed yet another game this time around. During Week 4’s contest in Dublin, three different corners also got nicked up, per Tomlin.
“Jalen Ramsey was in and out of the game with a hamstring,” Tomlin said. “Brandin Echols had cramps. [Darius] Slay got cleated. You know, we were leaking a little bit in the secondary coming into the game without Joey Porter, but such is life. Again, I’m just thankful to get the victory.”
Several others are also on the mend. Linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) and tight end Jonnu Smith (hip) aren’t at 100% health. That’s without even factoring in the team’s starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, is 41 years old and has taken plenty of hits already this year.
Getting that much-needed time off might allow an already succeeding team to thrive once it comes out of the bye.
Steelers’ Bye Week Plans Revealed After Win Over Vikings