What are the biggest takeaways from Steelers OTAs and minicamp?
The Steelers are now off for the next several weeks before training camp opens, so what have we learned thus far? Seemingly, the biggest discussion centers around differences in Mike McCarthy’s approach compared to Mike Tomlin in running things. As an offensive coach, he has shown much more detail, especially on a personal level, on that side of the ball. That’s not exactly unexpected, but it’s certainly generated plenty of conversation.
And not, perhaps, without good reason, though the Steelers have concerns on both sides of the ball. Under this regime, though, McCarthy won’t wield a heavy hand on the defense. All the Steelers beat writers seem pretty confident, based on OTAs, that DC Patrick Graham will run that show autonomously. Or at least, roughly autonomously, as the head coach is always involved in everything.
We can’t see anything the Steelers do in OTAs, of course, and reporters are seeing even less under Mike McCarthy. That makes player observations even more difficult to discuss, but we did see some narratives form. The “QB School” for Will Howard and Drew Allar, for example, and rookie WR Germie Bernard being a fast learner.
Defensively, rookie CB Daylen Everette went from the Steelers draft pick nobody was talking about before OTAs to quite the opposite. At this point, you have reporters debating whether he’ll have a defensive role this season, rather than just redshirting.
On the same side of the ball, Nick Herbig’s contract extension and subsequent comments from coaches during OTAs make it pretty clear that the Steelers want to have a heavy rotation at outside linebacker, and find creative ways to use all of their top three pass rushers at the same time.
Another big conversation for the Steelers during OTAs is the offensive line, particularly how they are juggling the unit. It seems that they have flipped RT Troy Fautanu and RG Mason McCormick to the left side, perhaps permanently. That sets up a competition for the starting right guard and tackle jobs, a top storyline entering training camp. And those competitions will include rookies, first-round T Max Iheanachor and third-round G Gennings Dunker.
The Steelers have a long road ahead of them under Mike McCarthy, along with his cadre of quarterbacks.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are under fire for their repeated playoff failures. While we have seen many changes, none could dream of topping Mike Tomlin resigning.
We’re already deep into the offseason, with free agency and the draft already reshaping rosters. The Steelers, of course, are used to early offseason mode as a team thatloses by the middle of January all the time. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
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