“Wasn't hot enough last year,” Mike Tomlin said to reporters. “To be quite honest with you, heat aids in the development of physical conditioning. It makes it a more stressful environment, and that's what we go to camp for. We go to camp to get better, and if it's a little bit more miserable late in the day, man, that's what we want.”
Pittsburgh is coming off a season that saw the team go 10-7. After signing Rodgers to the roster, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers hope to improve upon that record and make a deeper run in the playoffs than last season. The organization suffered a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round.
Practicing in the heat could do the trick. Technically, it should allow the players on the roster to condition quicker and get into shape. So, we'll see if it pays off once the regular season begins when the Steelers take on the New York Jets in Week 1.
With the Steelers focused on the upcoming season, [Mike Tomlin and the franchise](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/steelers-news-mike-tomlin-weighs-in-t-j-watt-contract) are still in contract negotiation talks with star edge rusher TJ Watt. Hopefully, a deal gets done soon, so Pittsburgh can be in full swing come training camp.