Steelers Hosting The Buffalo Bills Could Be Explosive; Expect It To Get "Chippy"

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently announced that they will be hosting the Buffalo Bills this offseason for some joint practices. The sessions, which will be held at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh the two days before their preseason matchup, will not be open to the public. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Rooney family are well known for doing things as they think they should. Just because something becomes popular or common among other teams (appearing on Hard Knocks for example, or allowing players to wear certain numbers), doesn't mean the Steelers will bend to pressure. Joint practices are no different. The last time the Steelers held one was eight years ago, in 2016 against the Detroit Lions. 

Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said he isn't surprised Tomlin is willing to do this with the Bills. He and Sean McDermott were college teammates at William & Mary. He also said that proximity plays a role for both teams. Buffalo is about three hours from the Steel City and the Bills will be in town anyhow for the preseason game on  August 17th. Batko told his co-host and fellow reporter, Adam Bittner, on the North Shore Drive Podcast that things could get tense between the two teams. 

"It's interesting to me, though, that these last couple of times these teams have played, things have gotten a bit chippy. In the playoff game, and then that regular season game a couple of years ago, Damar Hamlin on Kenny Pickett - Pitt on Pitt physicality, and then Kenny fighting back. I mean these two teams know each other very well from matchups recently. They've played against each other not quite as much as divisional foes, but it feels like they're a rung below that."

It isn't surprising that Batko would expect the practices to get a bit heated. In the past, players have stated that joint practices have become too aggressive. The players can't tamp down their competitive spirit toward opponents and are concerned that it can lead to injury. 

It isn't just in Pittsburgh. Last year, the Washington Commanders and the Baltimore Ravens had a "Beltway Brawl" during their joint practice. Batko said the Steelers take a lot of heat for being old school, but noted that Tomlin has avoided these situations. 

"I do give the Steelers credit because we've been critical of them at times for the way they do things getting stale. Are they resistant to change? Are they not willing to try some different things? They are old-school and traditional in a lot of ways. You know, not renegotiating contracts in-season, they won't budge on that. Continuing to hold training camp off-site and not being willing to get rest for the rest of the league in that trend. Even dumb stuff like jersey numbers. I give them credit for being willing to at least try something new."

While many might see their decisions as old-fashioned compared to the rest of the league, Batko reminds listeners that they also have their positives. The experience for Steelers players at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe might be dated, but it gives players a unique opportunity to get to know each other. Everyone from the most senior team member to the newest rookie has to stay in dorms and leave most of their worldly items behind. It takes away distractions and helps the team come together as a unit. 

Tomlin has said before that he feels that the Steelers already engage in very physical practices, such as backs on backers, which lowers the need for as much physicality. Other teams have reduced the amount of allowed contact, hoping to prevent injuries. 

Some Steelers Could Benefit From Something New

While practicing against the Bills might not transform them from a 10-7 team to a 12-5 team, Batko thinks it gives them a unique opportunity to face other offenses and defenses. Until preseason games, the team only gets to play against itself. 

The Steelers will need to evaluate their two new quarterbacks this offseason, and having them go against the Bills' defense could help make that job a bit easier. It also will give them a leg up on their regular start to the season. Batko noted that the Steelers are known to start a bit slowly and hopes that facing Buffalo will help them jumpstart the season. 

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