LATROBE, Pa. -- The summer of 2019 doesn’t seem all that long ago. And in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t.
In the NFL, however, three years is an eternity. Look no further than the Steelers, who report to training camp today at Saint Vincent College, as an example.
The last time they were out here, Randy Fichtner was the offensive coordinator. The defensive coordinator was Keith Butler. Kevin Colbert was the general manager. The quarterback was Ben Roethlisberger. None of that group's still around after COVID forced the Steelers to hold their past two camps at what was then known as Heinz Field. Heck, even that’s now changed, with Acrisure taking over naming rights of the team’s stadium.
Just 20 players on Mike Tomlin’s 90-man roster heading into this training camp have been to Saint Vincent, showing just how quickly things can change in the NFL.
But Tomlin sure did miss what has been the Steelers’ proving grounds since 1966.
“I’m a lover of camp. I like the opportunities to work on the intangible quality that good teams have,” Tomlin said. “The informal time up there, to me, is as significant as the formal time. Guys sitting out on the stoop at night outside the dormitory getting to know one another, talking about life and football. I just find value in that, and I’m really excited about that.”
The Steelers have plenty of reasons to have all kinds of emotions as they head into this training camp.
As mentioned, they’re entering their second season with Matt Canada as their offensive coordinator, while Teryl Austin takes over for Butler as the defensive coordinator. And, for the first time since 2005, they enter camp without the luxury of knowing Roethlisberger will be their quarterback.
Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season, with the Steelers signing Mitch Trubisky in free agency and selecting Pitt’s Kenny Pickett in the first round of the draft to compete with holdover Mason Rudolph as his replacement.
Tomlin said after the Steelers selected Pickett in the NFL Draft in April he would have an opportunity to compete for the starting job, but the offseason program seemed to be dedicated toward getting Trubisky, the second-overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Bears, ready to play.
Trubisky took the majority of the No. 1 snaps, with Rudolph working as the No. 2 and Pickett the No. 3.
Trubisky owns a 29-21 record in his career as a starter, twice leading the Bears to the playoffs in his four seasons there. But he lost out in the 2021 quarterback musical chairs and wound up serving as a backup with the Bills.
The Steelers immediately signed him when the free agent period began in March and feel his mobility will be a welcome addition in Canada’s offense.
“Mitch, in Chicago, I feel like we weren’t put at a great advantage to play at the best of our abilities at times,” said former Bears guard James Daniels, another Steelers free agent signing this offseason. “Even with that, we still made the playoffs two times in three years with him. He’s a very good leader, very adaptable. I’m glad he’s in a, hopefully, better situation.”
The Steelers hope so, as well. They’re coming off a 9-7-1 season that saw them earn a playoff berth but get quickly bounced by the Chiefs in the opening round.
Plenty went wrong, from the defense being ranked dead last in the NFL against the run, to the offense producing less than a touchdown per game in the first half that often led to the team being forced to play from behind.
But there were obviously good things, as well. The Steelers led the league in sacks for an unprecedented fifth consecutive year, with T.J. Watt leading the league with an NFL record-tying 22.5 sacks. And rookie running back Najee Harris compiled more than 1,600 total yards, while Diontae Johnson became the fourth player in team history to post more than 100 receptions in a season.
Defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt retired after not playing at all in 2021, while Larry Ogunjobi was signed to take his place. The Steelers also signed, in addition to Trubisky, Daniels and center Mason Cole to help bolster their offensive line in free agency. On the defensive side, cornerback Levi Wallace was signed to help offset the loss of Joe Haden, who remains a free agent, while linebacker Myles Jack also was added to help bolster the run defense.
It was one of the most busy free agency periods in team history, if not the busiest. But with Colbert retiring after 21 seasons with the team – replaced by Omar Khan – he wanted to leave the Steelers in a good place.
“I don’t want to say better than,” Colbert said in the offseason in his final press conference following the draft. “I’m proud to say we added to that (trophy) room.”
The Steelers go into every season feeling they can compete for another Super Bowl title. And this season is no different.
But the cast of characters with which they’ll try to accomplish that in 2022 is much, much different.
“There’s new challenges every year,” said defensive lineman Cam Heyward, one of the team’s few veteran holdovers. “That’s one of the great things about this league. Nothing ever stays the same. Each year, it’s really a completely new team. Everyone has a clean slate.”
ALSO SEE
• Why Trubisky's the main man
• Camp has few jobs up for grabs
• A look at the 90-man camp roster
