Mike Tomlin Informing Team About Resignation Left Aaron Rodgers In Tears, and TJ Watt in Shock

When it surfaced that Mike Tomlin had stepped down from his position as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, many wondered how it would impact the veteran players such as Aaron Rodgers, Cam Heyward, and TJ Watt.

Where Rodgers and star safety Jalen Ramsey had joined the franchise to play under the now-former head coach, the two defensive stalwarts had only known Tomlin as their head coach.

The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo has been covering the Steelers for a while and had first-hand information on what went down in the locker room when the 53-year-old delivered the news first to his players.

Inside the team meeting room Tuesday, Rodgers, through sobs, mustered a two-word message to deliver to his coach: “I’m sorry,” several players heard him say. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Mike DeFabo revealed

This was the four-time league MVP’s reaction when he walked up to Mike Tomlin after many of his teammates gave their head coach a final goodbye.

This was uncharacteristic of someone who has been known to give it back with his sarcastic retorts. But this out-pour of emotions might not surprise Steelers’ fans as Aaron Rodgers has been talking about how he was grateful Tomlin brought him there.

The QB being emotional points to the possibility that he might be blaming himself for his atrocious performance in the Wild Card round that ended up being the final nail in the coffin for his head coach.

Now, it is not certain if the superstar QB would continue, as owner Art Rooney II acknowledged that the Super Bowl champion head coach was the reason Rodgers came to Pennsylvania.

TJ Watt has only known Mike Tomlin as his head coach

Aaron Rodgers’ future is up in the air, but TJ Watt has just signed a monster contract extension to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All he wanted to do was play for Mike Tomlin.

“No,” star outside linebacker T.J. Watt said, sitting next to fellow defensive veterans Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith. “No. No. No. No. No,” he kept repeating over and over, his eyes welling with tears as Tomlin continued his speech.

Mike DeFabo wrote

The Athletic’s reporter outlined how Watt credited his former head coach for being able to help him blossom into a superstar pass rusher, who would eventually eclipse his future Hall of Famer brother, JJ Watt.

The 31-year-old had claimed in the past that he only wanted to play for Mike Tomlin. Now, with the reality sinking in, the outside linebacker will have to adjust to a new coach. Whichever coach comes in will have to earn their respect, and also help them get past this phase where they are probably discussing how things could have been different.

Steelers players feel accountable after Mike Tomlin’s exit

The way they ended their season, Pittsburgh Steelers players knew change was coming. But they did not anticipate Mike Tomlin to be the one who was going to step down.

“Everyone feels that way,” a player said. “He’s the only guy that guys wanted to do it for. You think we didn’t want to get that monkey off his back that the whole city has been berating him for? Yeah we all wanted that. That’s why it sucks.“

Anonymous player told Mike DeFabo

This sums up what the team has been feeling. Along with Aaron Rodgers‘ reaction and that of other players, it is evident that the team took responsibility for allowing this to happen.

They reiterated that Tomlin took all the anger from fans, media personalities, and others while shielding his players. Such leadership is why the players are still trying to process what happened.

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