Coaching camp is in full swing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This yr’s camp is much more vital due to all the brand new veteran gamers that they’ve. Nonetheless, that additionally signifies that they’ve been a bit of sloppier in areas. For instance, the Steelers’ offense has had some ugly days, typically getting smothered by the protection. Nonetheless, Mike Tomlin isn’t overreacting to that.
“I simply assume it’s common for this time of yr,” Tomlin stated Friday night time after follow through the workforce’s web site. “Protection is often developed a bit of quicker than offenses, the get-to-know, the cohesion that’s required to be good. It’s only a element of it. So, no alarm bells there.”
Tomlin is right to not make a giant deal out of his offense’s struggles up to now. Whereas the Steelers have retained lots of key parts, like alongside their offensive line, different features of their offense are drastically completely different. They misplaced their main rusher, passer, and receiver from final season. That features Najee Harris and George Pickens, who had been staples of Pittsburgh’s offense for years.
This yr they’ve added veterans in Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf and rookies like Kaleb Johnson who’re anticipated to play huge roles. Rodgers has been within the NFL for 20 years, however becoming a member of a brand new workforce isn’t straightforward. He even admitted that he’s nonetheless working to grasp the Steelers’ offense.
The purpose of coaching camp is for groups to iron out these wrinkles. The Steelers’ offense nonetheless has time to get it collectively. There’s no must panic but.
Take the 2023 Steelers for instance. Kenny Pickett had the Steelers’ offense trying nice. Nonetheless, as soon as the bullets began to fly, that unit was terrible. There’s no motive to get too excessive or low on the Steelers after a handful of coaching camp practices.
Additionally, like Tomlin says, the Steelers’ protection is a bit of additional alongside. That’s principally as a result of that unit has undergone much less change. It misplaced one in all its largest communicators in Minkah Fitzpatrick, however moreover that, a lot of the core items stay. Some gamers, like Patrick Queen, would possibly really feel extra comfy in Pittsburgh’s system this yr, too.
The Steelers’ offense has lots of expertise. The important thing shall be getting everybody on the identical web page. Just lately, that’s been tough, nevertheless it has proven flashes of promise. As camp progresses, the offense could have alternatives to show Tomlin’s endurance and understanding right.
