Mike Tomlin Insists Win Over Jaguars “Means Nothing” After Postgame Press Conference

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have walked away with a 31-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their preseason opener, but for head coach Mike Tomlin, the final score wasn’t the story.

Instead, his focus was on something far more important: getting through the game without suffering major injuries.

Speaking after the game, Tomlin made it clear that preseason results aren’t what drives him. “The scoreboard in August doesn’t mean a thing. What matters is health, execution, and preparation for the season ahead,” he said firmly. The veteran coach highlighted that outside of cornerback Cam McCutcheon — who left with what’s believed to be a soft tissue injury, possibly a hamstring issue — the Steelers emerged virtually injury-free.

That alone was enough for Tomlin to call the night “the best possible outcome.” In his eyes, the preseason is about sharpening skills, evaluating talent, and ensuring his roster is ready for when games truly count in the regular season. “We’ll review the tape, make corrections, and be better next time out,” Tomlin added.

The injury-free result was especially important given that key contributors like Alex Highsmith, Calvin Austin III, and Joey Porter Jr. are already nursing ailments. Avoiding any further setbacks keeps Pittsburgh on track as they prepare for their most intense week of camp yet in Latrobe. That stretch will lead into joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, providing a valuable test for the defense.

For Tomlin, the message is simple: preseason wins don’t raise banners, but staying healthy and building readiness just might pave the road to a real one in February.