Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – October 25, 2025
What was supposed to be a standard pregame press conference turned into an all-out war of words between two of the NFL’s most respected coaches — Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It all began when LaFleur took a shocking and uncharacteristically bold swipe at the Steelers ahead of Sunday’s showdown.
“I’ve watched the Pittsburgh Steelers over the last couple of weeks — they’re not the same team,” LaFleur said. “No fire, no discipline, no desire. If we play our game, this should be an easy win — just another practice.”
The statement detonated across social media within minutes, sparking outrage among Steelers fans and even some Packers loyalists who called the remarks “unnecessary” and “unprofessional.” NFL analysts were quick to chime in, warning that LaFleur may have “just poked the wrong bear.”
And poke he did — because Mike Tomlin didn’t take long to respond.
In his typically composed yet cutting tone, the Steelers’ head coach delivered a response that instantly set the tone for Sunday’s battle:
“Respect is earned on the field, not behind a microphone,” Tomlin said. “We don’t do ‘practice’ football in Pittsburgh — we do real football.”
The fiery exchange has elevated this weekend’s matchup from a simple midseason game to a full-fledged grudge match. Both teams are vying for momentum in the playoff race, but now pride and respect are at stake too.
Inside the Steelers locker room, players reportedly erupted when they heard Tomlin’s response, using it as bulletin-board material to fuel their preparation. Meanwhile, LaFleur’s comments have placed added pressure on the Packers, who now must back up their coach’s bold talk in enemy territory.
With kickoff just hours away, fans are bracing for an explosive clash. The question remains: Did Matt LaFleur’s words light a fire under the Steelers — or will they come back to haunt him in Pittsburgh?
Either way, Sunday’s game just became must-see football.
