‘No Alarm Bells There’: Mike Tomlin Not Panicking About Steelers’ Struggles On Offense

Coaching camp is in full swing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This yr’s camp is much more vital due to all the brand new veteran gamers that they’ve. Nevertheless, that additionally implies that they’ve been just a little sloppier in areas. For instance, the Steelers’ offense has had some ugly days, typically getting smothered by the protection. Nevertheless, Mike Tomlin isn’t overreacting to that.

“I simply assume it’s common for this time of yr,” Tomlin mentioned Friday night time after observe through the crew’s web site. “Protection is normally developed just a little quicker than offenses, the get-to-know, the cohesion that’s required to be good. It’s only a part of it. So, no alarm bells there.”

Tomlin is right to not make an enormous deal out of his offense’s struggles thus far. Whereas the Steelers have retained plenty of key parts, like alongside their offensive line, different elements of their offense are drastically totally different. They misplaced their main rusher, passer, and receiver from final season. That features Najee Harris and George Pickens, who had been staples of Pittsburgh’s offense for years.

This yr they’ve added veterans in Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf and rookies like Kaleb Johnson who’re anticipated to play large roles. Rodgers has been within the NFL for 20 years, however becoming a member of a brand new crew isn’t simple. He even admitted that he’s nonetheless working to grasp the Steelers’ offense.

The purpose of coaching camp is for groups to iron out these wrinkles. The Steelers’ offense nonetheless has time to get it collectively. There’s no must panic but.

Take the 2023 Steelers for instance. Kenny Pickett had the Steelers’ offense trying nice. Nevertheless, as soon as the bullets began to fly, that unit was terrible. There’s no motive to get too excessive or low on the Steelers after a handful of coaching camp practices.

Additionally, like Tomlin says, the Steelers’ protection is just a little additional alongside. That’s largely as a result of that unit has undergone much less change. It misplaced one in every of its largest communicators in Minkah Fitzpatrick, however moreover that, a lot of the core items stay. Some gamers, like Patrick Queen, may really feel extra snug in Pittsburgh’s system this yr, too.

The Steelers’ offense has plenty of expertise. The important thing will likely be getting everybody on the identical web page. Not too long ago, that’s been tough, but it surely has proven flashes of promise. As camp progresses, the offense may have alternatives to show Tomlin’s endurance and understanding right.