Steelers get large turnout for 1st day of voluntary organized team activities

So much for Pittsburgh Steelers players staying united with the NFL Players’ Association and skipping organized team activities.

On the first day of voluntary OTAs, the Steelers had about three-fourths of the 90-man offseason roster on hand for a morning workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

The 90-minute session, conducted under sunny skies amid 85-degree temperatures Tuesday, was a litmus test for the organization. It came nearly six weeks after the Steelers released a statement through the union that said the players would “exercise their right to not participate in voluntary in-person activities.” The Steelers were among the approximately half of NFL teams to make such a proclamation.

Yet, when the workout began Tuesday, defensive captain Cameron Heyward, the team’s union representative, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, an offensive captain, were among several veterans that took part.

Why the change of heart?

Heyward said it was a “multitude of things” that were resolved via a meeting between the Steelers leadership council and management, which included team president Art Rooney II, general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin.

Among the items discussed were relaxed workout conditions and covid-19 restrictions.

“If we had stayed under the old rules and not had the cooperation from the organization and the players, we couldn’t have gotten it done,” Heyward said. “We were able to iron some things out. … You don’t ever just plant feet down and say we’re not going to do this. We were able to work through some stuff, and I appreciate everybody working with us.”

The NFL did its part by revamping the early portion of the offseason workout schedule, extending the first phase (strength and conditioning work and virtual meetings) from two weeks to four. The second phase, which prohibited offensive and defensive players from lining up against each other during limited on-field work, was shortened from three weeks to one.

The third phase began this week and includes a traditional 10 voluntary OTA sessions over a three-week span followed by a mandatory three-day minicamp.

“When we get to minicamp, I think we’ll have full 100% participation,” Heyward said. “I don’t worry about that.”

The NFL’s offseason program was eliminated last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. All work was done virtually, with players working out on their own until training camp was conducted in August. In the meantime, the NFL added a 17th game to the regular-season schedule.

“Our main thing was, let’s not beat our bodies up,” Heyward said. “Let’s approach this the right way, and we can have a ramp-up period in that guys are learning and taking advantage of this time.”

Heyward also said player participation was encouraged during the first two phases of the workout program despite what the NFLPA statement conveyed.

“I wanted to make sure we never ostracized the guys who went in (to use the facility),” Heyward said. “We had a lot of guys who loved being in. We had to show this front that we didn’t want to jeopardize that. I think we did a great job of being open and honest with everybody and make sure we didn’t have a lot of contact.”

Heyward was mindful of management’s stance about the importance of OTA work for rookies, undrafted free agents and other young players who will be competing for spots on the 53-man roster in two months.

“Coach T’s main thing was he wanted to see how well conditioned the guys were,” he said. “Doing that, we’ve been able to run, been able to coach, listen and learn. When you have those right ingredients, it’s going to benefit us.”

As captains, Heyward and Roethlisberger set the tone with their attendance.

“We‘re trying to cultivate relationships right now,” Heyward said. “We’re trying to learn different guys who are at new positions. That comes with time. There is growth that can happen for young guys who can talk to older guys.”

Heyward wasn’t concerned that more than a dozen veteran players did not show up for the start of OTAs. He expects some to come and go over the next couple of weeks.

“I don’t put a lot of stock into this,” he said. “We can benefit from it, but if a guy is not here and chooses to go elsewhere, that’s not a big deal for me. The guys who aren’t here usually are veterans who have been in the system.”