Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Has Cryptic Answer on Russell Wilson ‘Petty Game Ball’ Rumors

After giving quarterback Russell Wilson what has been called a “petty game ball” following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win in Week 2 over his former team in the Denver Broncos, head coach Mike Tomlin declined to provide more insight Tuesday into his behind-the-scenes motivational tactics.

According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Tomlin smiled when asked about the petty game ball and what goes on in the locker room when the media isn’t around, saying: “I can’t give you all the ingredients to the hot dog. You might not like it.”

In Week 2, Wilson missed his second consecutive game to start the season due to a calf injury, but the Steelers pulled out a 13-6 win with Justin Fields under center.

Per Pryor, Fields told reporters after the game that Tomlin gave Wilson a petty game ball

Per Pryor, Fields told reporters after the game that Tomlin gave Wilson a petty game ball, which is something he typically gives to players after they beat their former team.

After spending the first 10 years of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, which included nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl win, Wilson was dealt to the Broncos in a blockbuster prior to the 2022 campaign.

Shortly after the trade, Wilson signed a five-year, $242.5 million contract extension with the Broncos, and the expectation was that he would lead Denver back to glory.

However, the Broncos went a disappointing 5-12 in his first season and head coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired late in the year.

Hackett was replaced by Sean Payton, and it led to better results for Wilson, who threw 26 touchdown passes in 15 games, but the Broncos benched Wilson for the final two games of the 2023 season so that he wouldn’t get injured and hinder their ability to cut him.

The Broncos did end up cutting Wilson, incurring an NFL-record $85 million in dead cap over two years. That allowed Wilson to sign a highly discounted one-year deal worth just $1.21 million with Pittsburgh.