Steelers players react to NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Mike Tomlin laughed and shook his head finding out about the media sprinting to Christian Kuntz locker on Wednesday as the second OTA practice ended. The reason for the stampede to the Chartiers Valley graduate, who better to get reaction to Pittsburgh hosting the NFL Draft.

Several of the players talked about the impact of it including the warning from linebacker Elandon Roberts as to not messing with Steelers fans if you are coming in from out of town. But Kuntz is the guy, KDKA-TV's Jared Barton called him 'the mayor', without any of the power, nor pressures, but he speaks for the people and the Steelers players in this instance.

"I love it," Kuntz said. "It's great for the City. Everyone that has a business here, small businesses, everything. It's great. It's amazing and will bring great vibes to Pittsburgh."

Kuntz added it's been in other cities and now for the Yinzers to experience that and watch young men realize a dream 'is going to be awesome'

Linebacker Alex Highsmith is from Charlotte, but has been a Steeler now going on five years and said he will be here to soak up all of the festivities.

"Knowing the fanbase we have here, I know Steeler Nation is going be showing up for sure," Highsmith said.

Linebacker Patrick Queen has never played for the Steelers, but he's seen the Terrible Towels twirl at a torque that could lift a human off the ground while playing or the Ravens. He also has to be credited for an acute knowledge of our infrastructure.

"That's electric," Queen said Wednesday. "I don't think there will be anywhere to stand. Hopefully you don't have to drive that day. It's going to be hectic, but with these fans here, it's going to be electric."

Pat Freiermuth was at the NFL Draft in Detroit in April as they were reporting crowds nearly one-million people over the week. He introduced Zach Frazier as the newest Steeler and said it was intimidating seeing all of those watching.

"It's awesome, obviously it's good for Pittsburgh," the fourth-year tight end said. "Great for local restaurants and bars with the revenue. It's good to have fans from all over the world, or country, come here to Pittsburgh and check out the great city it is."

Linebacker Elandon Roberts plays with a style that fits this city. He's only been here for a year but seem to have a kinship with it and he issued a warning for those fans wearing uniforms of any of the other 31 teams.

"Man it's going to be crazy," Roberts said. "Nah, for real, for real, it's going to be crazy. It might be a couple of fights too. Don't let nobody get riled up with no Steelers fan, they will hit you in your mouth. That's why I like them. They are blue collar, but they just don't give a damn sometimes. I like that."

The 2026 NFL Draft, it will be an experience.