What the Steelers veterans got out of offseason workouts

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It's drill work some have been doing for decades. They've done it over and over again, yet there is still value for the Steelers veterans to have gone through organized team activities and mandated mini-camp. What players from Russell Wilson to TJ Watt said of the last month on the South Side.

He's a first-year Steelers quarterback but 13-year NFL quarterback, Russell Wilson said it was about getting to know his teammates, coaches and a new offense. Whether you were at a Pirates or Penguins game or the Kenny Chesney concert, Wilson was there exploring his new home. While learning a new offense along with a first-year Steelers quarterbacks coach, Wilson said he has enjoyed the experience. He's in pole position, according to the coaches, to be the next Steelers starting quarterback, the fourth in the last nine months.

"The energy is super-high, everybody was so excited," Wilson said. "We worked super-hard. Every rep feels like a playoff rep, every rep feels like how it should. Coach Tomlin sees to that and the leadership on this team is phenomenal."

It's also a new home for three-year NFL veteran Justin Fields. The former Bears QB said it's been a great camp and everyone is getting used to the new offense, including himself as he battles to show he can be the Steelers starting QB, even if that isn't until 2025.

He believes they set a good foundation that they can carry on to St. Vincent College in July as Fields continues to learn the nuances to how they operate in Pittsburgh.

"Me being in two different places now, I realize that you don't get this culture everywhere," Fields said. "Chicago, they are changing the narrative now, but this has been the culture here for so many years. You can see it. The way we attack each and every day. Coach T, he stays on us about it. Having that and reiterating that keeps guys on their toes each and every day."

For fourth-year tight end Pat Freiermuth it's also contract time. In the final season of his rookie deal the Penn Stater is looking for a big year not just for the team, but that would also help his future whether it's with the Steelers or elsewhere. He does believe he's finally in an offense that can utilize his strengths.

"We are in charge of a lot," Freiermuth said of the tight ends in an Arthur Smith scheme "A lot of the offense falls on us. We are excited for that.
There is a learning curve. We excited to go into the offseason and really figure out what we need to do to come back to training camp and thrive."

Receiver Calvin Austin enters his third season, the first lost to injury. It appeared he had turned the corner after a long touchdown catch against the Raiders in September and then little else after that. He gets a clean slate to show his speed can bring benefits to the new offensive boss. The 25-year-old used this time to prove his worth.

"Each year is all about growth and getting better," Austin said. "I definitely have room to improve, that's what I've been approaching this season about. Every single day whether it's routes or being a vocal leader, it's about improving in all aspects."

Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen showed enough during these workouts and in other time around the coaches that Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin decided he could handle being the green dot.
That means even in his first-season with the Steelers, the defensive play calls run through Queen.

"Just communication, meeting, notes, talking everything through (the defense)," Queen said. "Everything that is football related, going through the days getting to know everybody and getting to know the system played a key role in me being able to pick up everything."

Even for TJ Watt there was value to voluntary practices and mini-camp. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year and Steelers all-time sacks leader will turn 30 in October. It's also about learning how to stay elite as he ages, saying it's as much about being smarter in these workouts and with the rest of his offseason.

"I'm not going crazy in the weight room anymore," Watt said. "I'm not trying to set personal records in the weight room as far as max reps or max weight. It's just about maintaining and staying healthy."

"I'm talking with the strength coach, nutritionist and my training coach Brad Arnett back home continually trying to learn ankle, knee, hip mobility, all those things that will help me continue to bend and do my job as I get older."

Even with the years in the league, there was value in the workouts over the last month.