Steelers Will Have A Major Advantage In Free Agency After Players See Mike Tomlin On Hard Knocks

The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally featured on the hit HBO show, Hard Knocks. For years, the rumor has been that Pittsburgh and its Head Coach, Mike Tomlin, don't want any part of being featured on the show. They were able to avoid it because the criteria excludes teams who have made the playoffs in the past two years, have a first-year head coach, or have been on the show in the past 10 years. However, they found a loophole by showcasing the entire AFC North. While teams have the final say, there are concerns about the optics of how the organization will look. However, there are also perceived benefits, like the possibility of giving the team an edge in free agency. 

Some believe Hard Knocks will clinch Tomlin finally winning the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award. The first episode aired, and it was very Steelers-centric and included a lot of Tomlin's motivational work with players. Recently, on 93.7 The Fan's Morning Show, the station's sports editor, Jeff Hawthorn, spoke with hosts Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson about the show. They want to know if having the Steelers, particularly Tomlin, highlighted on the show will help them win over free agents during the offseason since they will get an inside view of how the Super Bowl-winning coach operates.

"I think they have won over free agents over the last few years because of the reputation Mike Tomlin has," admitted Hawthorn. "But now they can see it. When they're thinking about a place, they're calling whomever to say, 'Hey, what's Tomlin like? What's the environment like? How do they treat you?' All that kind of stuff. I think what you're going to find out about Mike is that those sayings he throws out in news conferences, he says to his players. He has a way of capturing these guys, even the ones that have been there for six, seven, eight, 13 years. I've never heard anyone say, leaving Pittsburgh, 'I didn't like playing for Mike Tomlin.' They may have had issues with playing time or other things, but I've always heard from players positive things about Mike and Mike will be as honest as he can be to his team."

It is no secret that players call one another to encourage them to join their team. Those stories were rampant when the Steelers explored the possibility of signing Russell Wilson. Reportedly, several veteran players, including Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and TJ Watt, contacted him and talked up the Steelers.

One of the factors that always seems to come up is the ability to play for a coach like Tomlin. When the Steelers gave the biggest free agent contract in franchise history by signing linebacker Patrick Queen, who'd been a member of the rival Baltimore Ravens. After joining the black and gold, Queen said that Tomlin was definitely a large part of why he chose Pittsburgh. He said Tomlin has a unique way of motivating his players. 

In a manner of paying it forward, Queen helped recruit DeShon Elliott, who had played with him in Baltimore before going to the Miami Dolphins. Elliott said that he was thrilled at the opportunity and felt like he was a perfect fit for Pittsburgh's culture of excellence. 

Steelers Made A Dream Come True For Some Fans

The crew for Hard Knocks has been all over the country taping the show during its 24 seasons on the air. However, according to Terrell Riley, the Director at NFL Films, many of the staff have long dreamed of featuring the Steelers. 

Riley recently shared that many of the crew are Steelers fans, so they have been trying to spotlight the Steel City for years. He said that being in the facility is a dream come true. They have all marveled at how you can feel the team's culture when you walk through the halls.     

Do you think Hard Knocks will help the Steelers recruit free agents? Click to comment below. 

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