When the Steelers gave Daniel McCullers a two-year, $2.75-million contract earlier this year, it left many people scratching their heads. After all, he had played just 111 snaps in 2018. That was an increase from the 13 he had played in 2017, but the general feeling was the team could move on from the 2014 sixth-round draft pick after five unspectacular seasons and find a better backup to Javon Hargrave.
But Karl Dunbar, the defensive line coach, had a plan in place for McCullers, all 6 feet, 7 inches of him.
"Coach Dunbar has been on me about my weight and keeping it lower so I can move faster and move around more," McCullers told me Friday at the Rooney Complex as the Steelers (2-4) continued their preparations to host the Dolphins (0-6) Monday night at Heinz Field. "I’ve been working on that. I’ll keep doing that and see what happens."
Controlling his weight is a constant battle. When he was in high school, he weighed as much as 400 pounds. At Tennessee, he kept that a little lower. The Steelers have always listed McCullers at 351 pounds, but that's not always been the case. His weight would fluctuate. "Big Dan," as he's affectionately known to his teammates, is just naturally, well, big.
He told me his natural weight is around 380 pounds, but Dunbar wants him closer to 345. McCullers has kept his weight right around there at 350.
"It’s not easy. I’ve got to be focused and committed and think about the positives that are going to come out of losing that weight," McCullers told me. "I do conditioning every day, ellipticals and cardio and all of that. I’ve got to keep it going."
The Steelers need him. With Stephon Tuitt now out for the season, Hargrave will be asked to play more as a pass rusher. That will mean additional opportunities are available for McCullers to play.
His teammates and the coaching staff sound more confident than ever McCullers can be an effective player.
"Dan has just continued to grow, whether it’s on the field or off the field," Cam Heyward told me. "I think he’s gotten a lot healthier, tried to take care of his body, and it’s made a difference. This is a dude that was 400 pounds in high school. He’s down a lot. To have that guy be where he is and know he can provide for us is huge."
It certainly was in their past game against the Chargers, a 24-17 victory two weeks ago before their bye. Subbing for Hargrave, McCullers forced Philip Rivers into an intentional grounding penalty just before the first half ended, pushing the Chargers back 12 yards. Rivers got that yardage back on a screen pass on the next play, but the Chargers then attempted a 43-yard field goal that hit the upright as the Steelers took a 21-0 lead into the half.
"We had a good play call and it freed me up," McCullers told me. "I made that play. I’ve got to keep pushing. I’m gaining confidence. That’s a big thing for me, getting out there more and playing on the field."
That confidence is easily seen now in the locker room. When he first arrived from Tennessee, McCullers would sit in his locker -- literally in his locker -- watching everything going on around him. Now, he engages his teammates, jokes around with them.
"From the quiet guy when he first got here, you couldn’t get a lot out of him, to now," Heyward said with a smile. "You should see some of our group texts."
"I’ve been here about six years, so I’m getting comfortable with the team and the guys," McCullers said. "It’s a family vibe, a family foundation."
Now, the big "little brother" is needed to play a larger role. The Steelers need him to be active on the field when he's out there. It might only be 12 plays per game, but they need McCullers to make things happen on his snaps. With his size, it might seem like a natural thing. After all, most centers are typically the smallest guys on the offensive line. But in some instances, McCuller's size -- namely his height -- can work against him. Trying to get lower than a center who is often half a foot shorter than you can be a challenge.
"It is difficult to get under them sometimes with my height," McCullers conceded. "When I do get under them and get that push, I feel like I get good pressure. The thing I’ve got to continue to work on is getting off and trying to sack the quarterback, or make plays consistently. That’s the next step."
He's done it sporadically throughout his career. He'll take a center and push him eight yards into the backfield like it's nothing. But then, on the next play, he'll get no push at all.
Those good plays have been what have kept the Steelers interested in continuing to bring McCullers back. Now, he just needs to string more of them together.
"I just need to go hard when I get that opportunity. I’ve got to push the pocket like I know I can," McCullers told me. "I’ve got to try to cause havoc and help this team win. Monday night, I’m going to be ready."
