PITTSBURGH — Montravius Adams paused as he considered the question.
How did Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin change the trajectory of the nose tackle’s career?
“I really don’t want to say this, but if I’m being 100% honest, I could possibly be home with my family,” Adams told ESPN recently. “What he did for me mentally was great. Like, can’t even be explained. He’s one of them dudes you’ll run through a wall for, most definitely.”
Adams, a former Green Bay Packers third-round draft pick, was on the New Orleans Saints practice squad in November 2021 when the Steelers called to sign him to their active roster. He spent all season bouncing between the Saints’ active roster and practice squad after being released by the Patriots during training camp.
Adams first met Tomlin when he came out for the NFL draft in 2017. When Adams’ rookie contract in Green Bay was up, the Steelers offered him a deal. Instead, Adams went to the Patriots, only to be cut a couple of months later. But Tomlin kept tabs on Adams, and when attrition hit the Steelers’ defensive line late last season, Tomlin thought of him.
“He gave me an opportunity to come in as a nose, start, play,” Adams said. “He just gave me confidence that I didn’t have at the time.
“Sometimes it’s not talking; it could just be a gesture, just a look that we both can understand. And just the way he treats us.”
Adams is far from the only Steelers player who appreciates Tomlin’s approach. From players who were drafted into the organization to others who signed after stops around the league, Tomlin’s transparency and consistency continue to endear him to the locker room and are major factors in the team’s chances — though slim — to make the playoffs after a 2-6 start.
“He always just challenges us,” offensive lineman Kevin Dotson said. “He always gives us something to look at or look forward to, just individually challenges you — like he calls your name specifically. ‘I wanna see you this week. I wanna see you go hard this week. I’m gonna be watching you.’ They say he’s a players’ coach. You want to prove him right. You want to make him proud.”
With two games left in the regular season and a 7-8 record, the Steelers enter Sunday night’s pivotal rematch with the Baltimore Ravens…
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