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Mike Tomlin's 'super-secret' Week 7 QB plan backfires

Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin yells at a referee in the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Jacksonville Jaguars won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin yells at a referee in the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Jacksonville Jaguars won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin is often known for keeping his cards close to his vest.  He did so in reference to his contract situation after Pittsburgh's 2023 Wild Card playoff loss, with Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett's QB battle, and most recently, with the Justin Fields and Russell Wilson drama.

While many fans could read the room and find little clues that were pointing to Wilson's inevitable start in Week 7, Tomlin had never directly come out and named him starter.

Tomlin had done something similar in the buildup to Week 1's game against Atlanta, forcing the Falcons to game plan for both QBs, much to the chagrin of media reporters looking for a definitive answer.

However, WR George Pickens, who has had media availability issues in the past, spilled the beans and foiled Tomlin's plans by declaring Week 7 would be Wilson's "first start".  Will there be repercussions for the receiver's slip-up?

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Mike Tomlin's 'super-secret' Week 7 QB plan backfires