The Pittsburgh Steelers opened minicamp on Tuesday, along with 11 other NFL organizations. The season is inching closer and closer and will be here before we know it! Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media following Day 1 of minicamp and answered questions about the practice session.
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, Pat Freiermuth (#88) and Pittsburgh Steelers Center, Kendrick Green (#53) practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2022 Minicamp on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. (Abigail Dean/ Pittsburgh Steelers)
On his thoughts of the new Guardian Cap Helmet Covers, Tomlin said:
"We're going to adhere to the rules. It's a new rule. It's for their safety. And so we don't run away from those things. We run to those things. We're going to make it a non-issue for us. And it's about the work that we do."
Pittsburgh Steelers Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers coach Brian Flores participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Tuesday May 24, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tomlin was asked about how they're separating practice and Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers Coach Brian Flores' active lawsuit against the NFL:
Tomlin scoffed and stated, "Very easily, none of our business. We're focused on the work that he does here, in the capacity in which he is employed to work here, and he's doing a heck of a job. He's providing great insight, instruction. He's a hand in the pile guy. We're glad to have him."
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) participate in Organized Team Activities(OTAs), Tuesday May 31, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tomlin was asked what he's seen from WR Diontae Johnson and the leadership role that he wants to take on:
"I would agree with that. Diontae is not a big talker. He's more of a doer and I can appreciate that and I'm aligned with that. Just putting his head down and working every day, he's going to provide quality examples about how to go to work and it's going to aid guys like [George] Pickens in the maturation process because he gets visual examples of what he needs to do and how he needs to do it."
Omar Khan is introduced as the Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager at a press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Friday, May 27, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
On getting up to speed with New GM Omar Khan and new Assistant GM Andy Weidl:
"We're just dating right now. We went to dinner last night. It was great. You know how it is. All of us, all scouts and so forth, but we'll be tested moving forward. There'll be plenty of opportunities for that but right now we're honeymooning."
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive linemen, Stephon Tuitt (#91) and Cam Heyward (#97) celebrate at Heinz field in a regular season game against the Seattle Seahawks. | AP Photo
Tomlin addressed the defensive line room situation and Stephon Tuitt's retirement:
"I'm excited about the guys we have here to work with in that regard. Obviously we're supportive of Tuitt in his decision and we released a statement in that regard. It's been a pleasure to work with him and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward, but our energies and all our attention is focused on the guys that are available to us. We can waste a lot of time talking about who doesn't play for us."
Check out the media session in its entirety here!
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