The start of OTAs (organized team activities) is one of the signs that football's return is growing closer and closer. OTAs and minicamp are part of the final phase of the offseason program. That means training camp at Saint Vincent College will be here before you know it.
The Steelers will hold six on-field OTA practice sessions over the next two weeks at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The six practices will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week and next week. After that, the team will host its three-day mandatory minicamp, which will take place June 10-12.
OTAs have actually been going on for several weeks now, but not to this extent. The first two phases of the offseason program, teams can't do anything more than a walkthrough on the practice field, and even that can't include any offense vs. defense.
During OTAs and minicamp, teams are not permitted to have any live contact, but this is the first time in the offseason program that teams can hold 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. That also means this is the first time in the offseason that the players and coaches can take what's being taught in the classroom and apply it to the field in a full-team setting.
As it is with rookie minicamp, what goes on in the classroom is actually more beneficial than anything else during OTAs and minicamp. So much attention gets put on the on-field work because it's what the public can consume. Yet, the Steelers are joining many other teams that have actually reduced their number of on-field practices during OTAs this year. Typically, the Steelers have three weeks' worth with nine or 10 total sessions. This year, they're only hosting six of them.
OTAs are a precursor for minicamp, which is when the playbooks will be installed. That means the players will be taught the entire playbook for their respective side of the football. This usually happens three different times throughout the offseason. The first time is at rookie minicamp, giving them a crash course on everything to see how much they can absorb. Then, mandatory minicamp and training camp are the next two times, which makes sense since the entire team will be in attendance. OTAs help expedite the install process.
As such, there will be talk of which players don't attend OTAs. At the end of the day, OTAs are completely voluntary. There is no punishment for players that choose to not attend. The on-field portion is limited, meaning the majority of the work done is either strength and conditioning or meetings in the classroom.
Bottom line: You won't see all 90 players in attendance over the next two weeks. Players have been able to attend OTAs since the offseason program began on April 21, but the likes of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward haven't been on the South Side. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen have attended, but only stayed in town for a day or two.
Some players feel they don't get much from OTAs. Going back a bit, Troy Polamalu was one player who rarely showed up to OTAs. It's not the end of the world if two weeks of OTAs go by without seeing Watt, Heyward or any other players take the field.
Of course, even though he's not on the roster, there will be talk of Aaron Rodgers not being signed yet. The Steelers remain engaged with Rodgers while he works through personal issues, and they remain hopeful he'll sign with them to be their starting quarterback in 2025. Because the dialogue between the team and Rodgers has been made very public, players will be asked about it throughout two weeks of OTAs if he remains unsigned.
Though this has not been indicated from inside the building, Rodgers signing prior to minicamp would be ideal. He doesn't have to attend OTAs even if he were under contract, but it would be very beneficial for him to be under contract and in attendance for when Arthur Smith's playbook is installed at minicamp.
Even though OTAs are very much a precursor to minicamp, which is a precursor to training camp, there still will be plenty of excitement on the South Side over the next two weeks. By this time, the sting of yet another first-round exit in the playoffs will have worn off and there will be a renewed sense of optimism.
And though OTAs are not mandatory, the players who choose to attend will help set the stage for the 2025 season.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
5:34 pm - 05.26.2025South SideOTAs set stage for more team development
The start of OTAs (organized team activities) is one of the signs that football's return is growing closer and closer. OTAs and minicamp are part of the final phase of the offseason program. That means training camp at Saint Vincent College will be here before you know it.
The Steelers will hold six on-field OTA practice sessions over the next two weeks at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The six practices will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week and next week. After that, the team will host its three-day mandatory minicamp, which will take place June 10-12.
OTAs have actually been going on for several weeks now, but not to this extent. The first two phases of the offseason program, teams can't do anything more than a walkthrough on the practice field, and even that can't include any offense vs. defense.
During OTAs and minicamp, teams are not permitted to have any live contact, but this is the first time in the offseason program that teams can hold 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. That also means this is the first time in the offseason that the players and coaches can take what's being taught in the classroom and apply it to the field in a full-team setting.
As it is with rookie minicamp, what goes on in the classroom is actually more beneficial than anything else during OTAs and minicamp. So much attention gets put on the on-field work because it's what the public can consume. Yet, the Steelers are joining many other teams that have actually reduced their number of on-field practices during OTAs this year. Typically, the Steelers have three weeks' worth with nine or 10 total sessions. This year, they're only hosting six of them.
OTAs are a precursor for minicamp, which is when the playbooks will be installed. That means the players will be taught the entire playbook for their respective side of the football. This usually happens three different times throughout the offseason. The first time is at rookie minicamp, giving them a crash course on everything to see how much they can absorb. Then, mandatory minicamp and training camp are the next two times, which makes sense since the entire team will be in attendance. OTAs help expedite the install process.
As such, there will be talk of which players don't attend OTAs. At the end of the day, OTAs are completely voluntary. There is no punishment for players that choose to not attend. The on-field portion is limited, meaning the majority of the work done is either strength and conditioning or meetings in the classroom.
Bottom line: You won't see all 90 players in attendance over the next two weeks. Players have been able to attend OTAs since the offseason program began on April 21, but the likes of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward haven't been on the South Side. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patrick Queen have attended, but only stayed in town for a day or two.
Some players feel they don't get much from OTAs. Going back a bit, Troy Polamalu was one player who rarely showed up to OTAs. It's not the end of the world if two weeks of OTAs go by without seeing Watt, Heyward or any other players take the field.
Of course, even though he's not on the roster, there will be talk of Aaron Rodgers not being signed yet. The Steelers remain engaged with Rodgers while he works through personal issues, and they remain hopeful he'll sign with them to be their starting quarterback in 2025. Because the dialogue between the team and Rodgers has been made very public, players will be asked about it throughout two weeks of OTAs if he remains unsigned.
Though this has not been indicated from inside the building, Rodgers signing prior to minicamp would be ideal. He doesn't have to attend OTAs even if he were under contract, but it would be very beneficial for him to be under contract and in attendance for when Arthur Smith's playbook is installed at minicamp.
Even though OTAs are very much a precursor to minicamp, which is a precursor to training camp, there still will be plenty of excitement on the South Side over the next two weeks. By this time, the sting of yet another first-round exit in the playoffs will have worn off and there will be a renewed sense of optimism.
And though OTAs are not mandatory, the players who choose to attend will help set the stage for the 2025 season.
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Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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