Steelers star sparks outrage with Osama bin Laden and Mike Tomlin memes ahead of New York clash

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was compared to Osama bin Laden by one of his players in a shocking social media post.

Five days before their Week 7 game against the New York Jets, Steelers safety DeShon Elliott sparked outrage by sharing a meme of Tomlin's face photoshopped onto Bin Laden's head.

The Instagram post – which appeared to have been liked by quarterback Justin Fields since it was reported he will be benched for Sunday's game against New York – also included the caption: “Osama bin Tomlin.”

Fans were stunned when Elliott shared the meme, with some saying it was a dig at Tomlin before he reportedly decided to start Russell Wilson at quarterback this weekend instead of Fields.

Others believe it was a darker reference to Sunday's game against New York, just over 23 years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks orchestrated by bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was compared to Osama bin Laden by one of his players

Steelers safety DeShon Elliott shared this meme of Tomlin's face on Bin Laden's head

One wrote on X about Elliott's post: “What the fuck.”

Another predicted: “Unfortunately Tomlin won't stand for this.”

A third refused to believe it, saying: “There's no way he did that.”

“Oh he’s so fucking exhausted,” a fourth posted.

A fifth commented: “This isn't funny..”

Before another user replied to them: “Especially because it's the Jets… and NEW YORK still hurts.”

Elliott has played in all six of the Steelers' games this season, recording one interception and 27 solo tackles.

It remains to be seen what his intentions were behind posting the meme and how Tomlin will react before Sunday's game against the Jets.

The Pittsburgh coach's radical change at quarterback was announced earlier this week as he prepared to travel to New York.

He also posted this caption on Instagram, sparking outrage and confusion among fans

Elliott has played in all six of the Steelers' games so far this season, recording 27 solo tackles

Some believe his “Osama bin Tomlin” meme was about the alleged decision to dump Justin Fields

According to Tom Pelissero, Tomlin will reportedly give the 35-year-old Wilson a chance against the 2-4 Jets as the veteran nears his comeback from injury.

The Steelers intend to send the veteran first-team representatives into practice this week and plan for a possible season debut starting this weekend, the report continued.

Seven months after signing a one-year contract with Pittsburgh worth at least $1.2 million, Wilson has yet to appear in a competitive game for the Steelers.