Bucs head coach Bruce Arians and OC Byron Leftwich – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

As a player, Leftwich enjoyed two stints with the Steelers, playing under head coach Mike Tomlin. The first came in 2008, Tomlin’s second season in Pittsburgh. Leftwich backed up Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers won the Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. At the time, Tomlin — who served as the Bucs’ defensive backs coach from 2001-2005 — became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win the Lombardi Trophy.

After spending the 2009 season with Tampa Bay, Leftwich then returned to Pittsburgh for the final two seasons of his playing career. That gave him a chance to once again play under Tomlin, who to this day has never recorded a sub-.500 season in 15 seasons as the Steelers’ head coach. In that span, he has led Pittsburgh to 10 playoff berths and seven AFC North titles.

Once he was done with his playing days, Leftwich went to Arizona, joining former Bucs head coach Bruce Arians’ staff. And ever since, he’s been one of Arians’ star pupils. Now, with Arians retired and Todd Bowles taking over as Tampa Bay’s head coach, Leftwich has the offense to himself. And on Sunday, it’ll be his offense against Tomlin’s Pittsburgh defense.

Bucs’ Leftwich “Can’t Have More Respect” Than He Does For Tomlin

Sunday will be a unique reunion for Leftwich, and he was asked about his familiarity with Tomlin during his Thursday press conference this week.

“Mike [Tomlin] is a unique, special guy – that’s all you can really say. I learned so much from him,” Leftwich said. “I can’t have more respect for the coach and the human being than I have for [coach Mike Tomlin]. He’s that unique. It was enjoyable to play for him, it’s motivational to play for him. I know you guys see the interviews – that’s really him.

“The guys that know him around here – that’s really him. He’s a special guy. [He] taught me a lot. I catch myself saying some of his words sometimes as I’m coaching, so that’s how important of a piece he was for me. I’ve just got so much respect for him as a coach but the man – it’s unique, man, it’s unique to have played for Mike. I’m happy that I’ve done that because it was a unique experience for me and I learned a lot from that.”

Former Bucs HC Raheem Morris and Mike Tomlin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Asked about the biggest lesson he learned from his former head coach, Leftwich said what he really appreciated was the way Tomlin handled himself in all situations.

“[There’s] not [an] individual lesson because you get it every day – you get what you see on TV every day,” he said. “As a locker room, as a player, that’s what you want – you want people like that leading you. He’s a unique man. He’s a unique football coach. It’s no surprise that he’s had that much success – I’ve seen him work.

“I’ve seen him when times are good, coming to work and how he reacts; I’ve seen him when times [weren’t] so good, coming to work and how he reacts. I’ve learned a lot from him – I’ve learned a lot from how to handle yourself in certain situations. I wish I could articulate myself the way that he [does] – I’m failing at that.”

Leftwich’s offense has yet to reach the heights in 2022 that it did from 2019-2021, but there have been signs of life from a group that is still adjusting to some personnel turnover. Sunday is the next chance for Tom Brady and the Bucs’ offense to come together and find their best.

The 3-2 Bucs may look like a mismatch for the current iteration of Tomlin’s Steelers, who are 1-4. But given the type of coach Tomlin is, Tampa Bay won’t look past Pittsburgh. Leftwich, of all people, would know not to do that.