PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He was like a kid enjoying summer camp when the last day came, what Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said as voluntary and mandatory camps ended for 2024.
"It comes to a screeching halt," Tomlin said.
The Steelers head coach used every minute allowed, if not maybe a few more, to put the team through numerous drills and team periods. The 18-year Steelers head coach said they spent time teaching, getting to know each other and discussing the standards and expectations of being a Steeler.
"It's difficult to get in football shape without playing football and so we've had a good environment for that," Tomlin said. "Now it's the challenge to building off that level of conditioning in preparation for camp as individuals and as a collective."
As Tomlin continued it sounded like he was opening a speech at any graduation across the world.
"As we leave and go our separate ways." Tomlin said only needing a captive audience of seniors.
He said the messaging was placed on the players that it's up to them for their own individual benefit and for that of their teammates and the collect team to come into training camp in Latrobe in great shape, having studied the playbook and ready to go.
When it was brought to his attention that rookie linebacker Payton Wilson had said there was some much new for him starting his professional career.
"Man, there is so much to teach those guys," Tomlin said. "He will continually be amazed by the differences. The next step we take will be intensified and so will the teaching and learning. There will be a period of adjustment, that's what comes with it."
The team has a new offense under Arthur Smith, an entirely new quarterback room and a few key additions on defense. They worked four weeks both voluntarily and then these past three days as mandated by the NFL collective bargaining agreement. Now it's a break until July 26 in Latrobe and the start of real training camp ramping up to the goal of a championship, while knowing the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016.
