The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a younger breakout star who could help an aging roster put together enough wins to earn a spot in the AFC playoff picture, and they have received just that type of fortunate bounce thanks to a career year from defensive back James Pierre.
Pierre, a former UDFA who is now in his sixth season with the Steelers, has emerged as one of the best cornerbacks in the AFC, announcing himself as such with a masterclass against the Baltimore Ravens that put the Steelers in the pole position in the AFC North.
While many outside observers were surprised that a player with Pierre's relative lack of hype could put together a sterling performance like this, but head coach Mike Tomlin could see this breakout coming from a mile away due to the work he has been putting in.
"It's him," Tomlin said of the former Florida Atlantic free agent fresh off intercepting his cousin, Lamar Jackson. "Ask any of his teammates... He's tough-minded. The tough road is not something that's new to him. He's played it up mentality."
Pierre's 86.0 overall grade ranks third among all cornerbacks in the NFL, while his coverage grade is second only to only Seattle's Devon Witherspoon. Even there. Pierre is literally 0.1 points behind Witherspoon for the right of top dog across the entire NFL.
Mike Tomlin shouts out rising Steelers CB James Pierre
Pierre's breakout could not have come at a better time for a Steelers secondary that is still reeling from the unfulfilled expectations they set for themselves earlier in the year. Jalen Ramsey doesn't look like the future Hall of Famer the Steelers thought they were getting, and Darius Slay was so poor that Pittsburgh ended up releasing him.
On a Steelers team that is very much operating on a knife-edge in a very crowded and competitive AFC North, getting someone like Pierre to break out could be an X-factor that helps Mike Tomlin put some distance between himself and the rest of the division.
Even as Tomlin approaches what may be the end of his Steelers career, there are a few developmental success stories he can claim to have a hand in, and Pierre is one of those unheralded players who have devoted themselves to the Gospel of Tomlin. The result is a cornerback that is giving a disappointing defense the verve it needs to get back in shape.