Steelers’ Mike Tomlin: No team facilities should open until all NFL team facilities can open

Even if Allegheny County’s “yellow light” turns green, that will have little to do with if the Pittsburgh Steelers can get back to the football field. At least, that’s Mike Tomlin’s opinion.

The Steelers coach said Saturday he believes no NFL teams should be permitted access to their facilities until all teams are. League policy currently has banned most personnel from all team’s official headquarters because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“I subscribe to the approach of a competitive fairness within our game, and that is everybody gets an opportunity,” Tomlin said during a conference call with media. “Our game is extremely competitive. It’s one of the things that makes football at this level so attractive to our fans. I am committed to preserving and protecting that, so all teams getting an opportunity to start on the same footing is a core element of that.”

One of the NFL’s longest-tenured coaches and a member of the powerful competition committee, Tomlin has some sway in how the league navigates the complex and delicate circumstances surrounding the stay-at-home orders in effect throughout much of the country as a safeguard against the spread of covid-19.

Commissioner Roger Goodell cited completive reasons when he previously had instituted an indefinite blanket ban on teams using their practice facilities. But with the nation gradually moving toward opening back up, soon that policy will need addressed again. Some teams far from virus hotspots will be able – and perhaps eager – to ramp up operations again.

The NFL has set protocols for reopening team facilities and has told the 32 teams to have them in place by May 15. https://t.co/jelCvCySKi

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) May 7, 2020

Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday announced Allegheny County next week will move from “red” to “yellow” status on the state’s tiered re-opening plan.

While the Steelers were like other teams in hosting a “virtual” rookie minicamp this weekend, Wolf’s announcement signals an all-clear in the form of a “green” designation could come this summer if the situation continues to stabilize.

“I imagine that day is coming; when it’s coming, I do not know,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin said the factors that will determine when more “normal,” in-person and on-field season preparations can begin will be determined by state and local government orders as well as competitive fairness for all 32 NFL teams.

“Those are the two key components for us,” Tomlin said. “We are in a wait-and-see mindset, and we will be ready to go when both boxes are checked. Until that time, we are going to focus our energies on what is available to us and take advantage of that.”

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