For the first time since they were unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs by Cleveland in the wild-card round, the Pittsburgh Steelers will return to Heinz Field this week.
Five months after that 48-37 loss and with a fresh start awaiting them later this summer, the Steelers conclude Phase III of the NFL’s offseason workout program with a three-day minicamp.
Unlike the three-week organized team activities, which was conducted at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, players are contractually obligated to report for minicamp. Like OTAs, no contact is permitted, but practices can be conducted at full speed and Steelers players will participate in 11-on-11 drills for the first time this offseason.
While some NFL teams have scaled back or eliminated minicamp in favor of virtual work, coach Mike Tomlin would rather forfeit to the Baltimore Ravens than miss a chance to work on the field with his players. It will be his last chance to evaluate his 90-man roster before training camp starts in July.
Here are a few storylines to watch this week:
1. Will there be perfect attendance?
Although minicamp is the only offseason activity in which attendance is mandatory, that doesn’t mean everyone complies.
Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, who has asked to be traded, is the highest-profile player who stayed away from Packers minicamp last week. Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Chandler Jones also skipped his team’s three-day event, and the New England Patriots began minicamp Monday minus cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 defensive player of the year.
The Steelers aren’t expected to have any no-shows this week after a handful of veterans skipped all three weeks of OTAs. Nobody has threatened a holdout while seeking a new contract. T.J. Watt is in line for a new deal before the start of the season, and an appearance at minicamp could provide a risk for injury, but there are no indications he won’t attend.
Personal exemptions are another matter, and Stephon Tuitt could receive one given that he is mourning the death of his younger brother who was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Georgia two weeks ago.
2. How up to speed is Ben Roethlisberger with the offense?
Roethlisberger admitted during OTAs that he is adjusting to the terminology installed by Matt Canada, the first-year offensive coordinator. After being in a familiar system for most of his 17 NFL seasons, Roethlisberger is out to show that this old dog can be taught new tricks.
Minicamp also will be the first time that Canada’s system is tested in an 11-on-11 setting.
3. Will any rookies jump to the front of the line?
Rookies traditionally have to bide their time before getting first-team reps during offseason workouts. The Steelers, though, are counting on first-round pick Najee Harris to start at running back and third-rounder Kendrick Green to compete at center.
If the Steelers want to get them into the starting mix, minicamp would be the time to do it. Or the Steelers could continue to give deference to established players while allowing the rookies to get acclimated to working with the backups.
Minicamp also will be a chance to gauge whether second-round tight end Pat Freiermuth has a grasp of the offense.
4. Who will get snaps in the nickel package?
With a full complement of players reporting, the Steelers can ramp up their efforts to find a replacement for slot corner Mike Hilton.
Minicamp also will provide a chance to see what kind of role Cam Sutton will have in the defense. He is being given first chance to win the starting cornerback spot that was created when Steve Nelson was released. Sutton, though, was a valuable subpackage inside defender last season, and he could return to that role on passing downs while Justin Layne and James Pierre get looks outside.
The Steelers also can use the three days to learn a little more about undrafted cornerbacks Shakur Brown and Mark Gilbert, plus sixth-round pick Tre Norwood, who played corner and safety at Oklahoma.
5. Where will JuJu Smith-Schuster line up?
Smith-Schuster has expressed a desire to take more snaps at outside wide receiver after getting about 80% of his playing time last year in the slot. If the Steelers accommodate Smith-Schuster, then who moves inside?
Smith-Schuster has nominated Ray-Ray McCloud for the job. McCloud, though, isn’t a lock to make the 53-man roster. The Steelers could use a rotation system among the veteran receivers — or try one of the several undrafted free agents on the roster — in the slot. And, if Smith-Schuster indeed takes more snaps outside, they will come at the expense of either Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson or James Washington.
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe by email at jrutter@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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June 15, 2021 at 01:07AM
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