Aaron Rodgers honored former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after Sunday's 34-22 win over the Indianapolis Colts, wearing a black T-shirt with DGBTTF across the front and a Coach T logo underneath.
Rodgers played for Tomlin during the coach's final Pittsburgh season in 2025. Tomlin stepped down in January before Mike McCarthy took over. One season together was enough for a familiar defensive reminder to stick with his quarterback.
ESPN's Brooke Pryor attempted to make it something more than it was, asking Rodgers whether the shirt was a coincidence or a warning to a Colts defense that had let Jaylen Warren beat it to the flat a couple of times. Rodgers kept the explanation simple, which suited a small, affectionate gesture.
Jaylen Warren gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a fitting Mike Tomlin reminder
"It's not a warning. It's an ode to Mike T. He used to always say, 'Don't get beat to the flat,'" Rodgers said.
Rodgers explained that he'd worn the shirt under his sweatshirt, then took it off because he was hot after showering. The tribute was intentional. Its appearance at the microphone came down to shedding an extra layer.
Aaron Rodgers spoke to the media after our win against the Colts. @Acrisure pic.twitter.com/HsNI8dCHoN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 11, 2026
Pittsburgh had gone three-and-out on its opening possession. The next series ended with Warren's 80-yard touchdown reception. In the first quarter, Rodgers delivered a swing pass into the right flat as Grover Stewart hit him. Warren raced down the right sideline, with DK Metcalf blocking two pursuing defensive backs.
Rodgers got the ball out under pressure, Warren supplied the speed, and Metcalf kept working after the pass went elsewhere. Pittsburgh created its biggest gain without asking Rodgers to wait for a deep route to develop.
Warren finished with six catches for 87 yards, and his other five receptions totaled seven yards combined. Indianapolis wasn't giving up huge gains on every outlet. The touchdown was the expensive exception. Warren also scored on a 50-yard run in the third quarter, finishing with 188 yards from scrimmage.
Rodgers had previously identified Tomlin as his main reason for signing with Pittsburgh. After Pittsburgh lost five of seven games during that 2025 season, Rodgers praised Tomlin's consistency and preparation. He credited the coach's feel for the locker room with making his own job easier.
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