Tag: Steelers 2021 training camp

2 key pieces to Pittsburgh Steelers offense return to camp

Though it’s too early to know how the roster will play out, it is crucial to have a solid stable of RBs behind Najee Harris.

At nearly every NFL position, depth is nearly as important as who is starting. Though it’s too early to know how the roster will play itself out, it is crucial to have a solid stable of running backs behind Pittsburgh Steelers’ Najee Harris.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor tweeted from training camp on Saturday that Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage took part in individual drills.

Snell, now in his third year with the Steelers, has been dealing with an undisclosed injury. Ballage, who joined the Steelers this offseason, was injured during Pittsburgh’s Hall of Fame game versus the Dallas Cowboys.

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It could be some time before Snell and Ballage fully participate in team drills, but it’s a good sign that they’re working their way back.

 

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The mystery behind Steelers edge T.J. Watt practice absences

One of many observations so far in Steelers 2021 training camp is that the team’s star linebacker has yet to practice.

Nine days into Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, and T.J. Watt has yet to practice.

As ESPN’s Brooke Pryor tweeted, she first asked Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin when he thought Watt might be joining training camp practice. When Tomlin replied that Watt is “day-to-day,” Pryor followed up asking if Watt was injured — to which Tomlin simply replied that injuries don’t need to be discussed right now. It is NFL policy that teams don’t need to get into injuries to players during the offseason.

Why Watt hasn’t been partaking remains a mystery. Is it injury-related or contract-related, or both? Perhaps the Steelers are just protecting their investment. As things currently stand, the Pro Bowl edge rusher is set to play 2021 on his fifth-year option. Though the Steelers have remained mum on the situation of a long-term deal for Watt, they are likely about to enter contract negotiations or are in the midst of it. If Watt were to get hurt in practice during the process, it puts both parties in a jam.

No matter the reason, according to Pryor, Watt seems displeased that he hasn’t been taking part in practice.

When camp opened last week, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette asked Watt why he didn’t participate in drills; Watt said, “We are here a week earlier than we normally are, and I am just trying to progress the proper way. Like I said, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I’m trying to do everything the right way.”

All that really matters is that T.J. Watt is there with his teammates and staying active. He’s been at this Steelers things for going on five seasons — once he gets the green light, Watt’s systems will go.

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Mike Tomlin on T.J. Watt contract extension: ‘The process will run its course’

One of the biggest storylines of the Steelers offseason has been the status of Pro Bowl edge rusher T.J. Watt’s contract extension.

One of the biggest storylines of the Steelers offseason has been the status of Pro Bowl edge rusher T.J. Watt’s contract extension. Watt, currently set to play the season on his fifth-year contract, is due for a big payday.

Watt’s anticipated deal to keep him in Black and Gold for the foreseeable future was a topic of discussion during head coach Mike Tomlin’s first press conference of Steelers 2021 training camp.

Per a tweet from NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkwabala, Tomlin said, “I’m sure that process will run its course, and we’ll have something to announce.”

When that could be is anybody’s guess. By the time salary cap website Over the Cap updates Steelers numbers with Melvin Ingram’s contract, Pittsburgh should be roughly $10 million under the cap. But they’ll need a lot more than that to make Watt an offer before the regular season.

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Mum’s the word on Steelers training camp schedule, location

There’s still no word on whether Steelers training camp will be at Saint Vincent or Heinz Field.

We’re a month away from what will likely be the first day of Steelers training camp. The NFL permits teams participating in the Hall of Fame game to get things started July 21, while the 30 other teams must wait until July 27.

There’s only one question: Will camp return to Saint Vincent College or Heinz Field? In 2020, the NFL mandated that offseason training activities remain at team facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision put an end to a 54-year streak of the Steelers calling Latrobe home during summer activities.

“I thought I would know by now,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said during a press conference after last week’s minicamp. “We don’t always get what we want when it comes to policy and global decision making and things of that nature. I had hoped to get some clarity by now, but I haven’t.”

“I’ve got some calendars on my desk, so I’m ready for whatever,” said Tomlin. “Rest assured, regardless of where we are and when we are; we’ll be ready.”

While Pittsburgh awaits a decision on camp location and schedule, the Dallas Cowboys received permission on June 15 to return to Oxnard, Calif. Workout kickoff and other fan festivities have also been announced.

It’s unclear what the delay is, but time is ticking, so an announcement should come any day now. At least there will be camp — in January, that prospect didn’t look so promising.

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Steelers one of two teams first back to training camp

While 29 other teams have to wait until July 27 to get training camp started, the Steelers can report as early as July 21.

While 29 other teams have to wait until July 27 to get training camp rolling, the Pittsburgh Steelers can report as early as July 21 because they’re playing in the Hall of Fame game with the Dallas Cowboys.

You may recall that the Steelers and their nemesis Cowboys were to face off in the 2020 Hall of Fame game, but it was scrapped due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Of course, just because the NFL says the teams can report on July 21 doesn’t mean they will. The team could announce training camp dates and a location in the coming days.

In the meantime, it appears as if teams will welcome fans back.

The Hall of Fame game will kick off the preseason on Thursday, Aug. 5.

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Will fans be permitted at Steelers training camp this summer?

While the Steelers have not made an announcement, the NFL told clubs it expects fans back at training camps.

The NFL announced on Tuesday that it expects fans to return to training camps this summer, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He noted that allowing fans will be subject to state and local guidelines. Pennsylvania is lifting capacity restrictions for indoor and outdoor events on Memorial Day.

This should signal no restrictions at Steelers training camp. If fans can return this summer, Art Rooney II wants it to be back at St. Vincent College, but that’s still up in the air.

“That’s what we’re planning for, but unfortunately, there still are some issues we’ve got to iron out, and some of them have to do with the Players Association and discussions about training camp and COVID protocols and all of that,” Rooney told Bob Labriola of Steelers.com.

“If we can’t have fans, I’m not sure we would go to training camp up there,” Rooney added. “That’s certainly a big part of it – to be there with our fans. Our fans love being up there. There are great facilities up there, and it’s a great place for training camp for the players from a football perspective. But without the fans, I’m not sure what we would do. We’ll be looking at whether there are more restrictions on fans’ ability to gather at that point.”

Last summer, the league announced teams would need to remain at their club’s on-site facilities for camp due to COVID-19 concerns. Of course, fans were not permitted to attend.

Crossing our fingers that a full capacity training camp in Latrobe is announced soon!

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