We're still in the middle of free agency and more than a month away from the NFL Draft. However, we've got some football activity scheduled in the not-so-distant future.
The NFL announced Friday the offseason workout dates for all 32 teams, and the first day of the offseason workout program for the Steelers is April 17.
Prior to OTAs, there are two phases that include five total weeks of various workouts and meetings. Phase one consists of two weeks in which activities are limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase two covers the following three weeks. On-field workouts are permitted during this phase, and that may include individual or group instruction and drills conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted during that time.
Near the end of that time, the Steelers can hold an offseason workout program for incoming rookies after the draft, starting as early as May 15. During this program, no activities may be held on weekends, with the exception of one post-draft rookie minicamp, which is run either the first or second weekend following the draft. The date of the Steelers' post-draft rookie minicamps will be announced at a later date.
The Steelers will begin the third and final phase of the offseason workout program with three weeks of OTAs, scheduled for May 23-25, May 30-June 1 and June 5-8. As it typically is, no live contact is permitted during OTAs or minicamp, but teams can run 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills.
The fourth and final week of the phase three concludes with the Steelers' mandatory minicamp which is scheduled for June 13-15.
All offseason workouts are held at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and are not open to the public.
