The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to start rookie minicamp tomorrow, and with that comes the very first time all of the Steelers rookies get to strap on a Steelers helmet. All of the rookies arrived at the Steelers South Side facility this afternoon to begin getting fitted for equipment and prepare for their first practice as professional athletes.
Tomorrow will be the first chance for Mike Tomlin to get a look at quarterback Kenny Pickett, and what he's learned so far from the playbook. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch said this week that the most important thing that Pickett can do is learn the playbook and show that he understands it at rookie minicamp. If he's able to show the coaches he knows the plays, then he will be able to take more snaps at OTA's later in the month.
“Yeah, they throw a lot at you at rookie minicamp,” Batch said on NFL Network. “They just want to see how much of the playbook that you can absorb. And if he can do that, that will give them indications heading into that first OTA practice to say, ‘hey, this guy could potentially be ready to now fight for that number two spot if not the starter reps.’"
Pickett will be the only Steelers rookie that feels right at home when he steps on to the practice field. With Pitt sharing facilities with the Steelers since Pitt Stadium was torn down, he will only have to switch over to the Steelers side of the building.
"It's going to feel great," said first-round pick Kenny Pickett, the quarterback from Pitt. "It's something I have missed, being a part of a team after going through this process for a few months. Having that camaraderie and everyone working towards one goal and being around all the great guys we have. I'm really excited to get back to work on the field."
While none of the other Steelers draft selections are from Pitt, tight end/fullback Connor Heyward has got to spend a lot of time on the South Side with his big brother. He seems to be seeing a lot of familiar faces, but he's not in the building as their teammate, or player, not as Cam Heyward's little brother.
"I have been seeing familiar faces I have seen my whole life," Heyward told Steelers.com. "Seeing my brother's teammates that are now my teammates is definitely different. It all hits home a little more. I went to my grandmas, my brothers, but coming here to where I now work is when it hit the most.I know where the practice fields are, the weight room and locker room, where most of the work gets done. Today was the first time I went upstairs where the meetings and game plan go on. I hadn't been there before. I feel like I should be here. I am just excited to be here and am ready to go. I have been working out, trying to stay in shape. Hopefully that translates over into tomorrow's practice."
When you enter the Steelers South Side facility, they proudly have on display the six Lombardi Trophies. It's a huge deal to everyone that enters the building. Those are the real trophies. They are only ever brought out for special occasions. The ones you see down at Heinz Field are just exact replicas.
Those trophies got fourth round pick Calvin Austin's attention right away.
"It's definitely more real being here, seeing all of the Lombardi Trophies and everything," said Austin. "We all come in and are all in the same mindset, where is the training room, how does practice run, all the little things that we get to brush out of the way and get to learn together. It's a good experience.
More to come as photos are released
Memphis Tigers receiver Calvin Austin III celebrates his catch during their game against the SMU Mustangs at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday Nov. 6, 2021.
