Quarterback Kenny Pickett and the rest of the healthy Steelers starters are scheduled to play in the preseason opener Friday night in Tampa Bay, but how much they play has not yet been determined, head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday morning.
Pickett is entering his second season, but this training camp has been his first as the starter. He spent last summer working with the second- and third-team offenses as Mitch Trubisky worked with the starters. Now, the roles are reversed and Pickett has shown a lot of growth in his play in practices this summer.
Tomlin might not play some of his star players very much Friday night, but he indicated Pickett needs more reps in game competition in order for his game to continue to grow.
“We’ll play it by ear,” Tomlin said. “We’ll give him what he needs. That’s always my mentality. I’m open to all healthy players playing. How much they play will be determined by what it is they need for it to be a productive step in the process for them.”
Running back Najee Harris suffered a foot injury in training camp last year that lingered and affected his play in the first half of the season. T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson were injured in preseason games.
Tomlin has been deliberate in giving his star players rest in camp this summer, but he said he won’t change his approach to preseason games based on what happened last year.
“Obviously, we want to keep people upright, but injuries are a component of the game,” Tomlin said. “We can’t live in our fears. We have to get individuals and collectives ready to play. We’ll make the appropriate judgments on individuals.”
Harris said preseason reps are important for him, but he said he doesn’t need a lot of reps to get ready for the regular season.
“You wouldn’t want guys to play the whole game,” Harris said. “I’m not the coach, obviously, but you would want to give the guys a couple series, get some film out there so we can come in and look at it, correct it, see what we can do better. But there is a fine line. Obviously, that’s Mike T’s job, not mine. I’ll let him handle it.”
This is the third year for NFL teams playing a shortened preseason schedule, but Tomlin said he is still trying to figure out how to distribute playing time across three games rather than four games. He has to balance getting his starters ready for the regular season while giving younger players the platform to compete for roles on the 53-man roster.
“I’m comfortable with the number of games, but I’m always trying to figure out what’s appropriate in terms of work for this group individually and collectively,” he said. “We have some young guys developing. It’s good to go through the process of game readiness and finding their rhythm and going out there and executing.”
Friday night’s game against the Buccaneers is the first opportunity for Tomlin and the front office to see their revamped roster in game competition. One of the main emphases of the offseason was building stronger depth across the roster. GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl believe they accomplished that through free agency and the draft.
The Steelers went into last season lacking depth at several positions, and it hurt them. The offseason acquisitions not only give the Steelers better options should starters get injured, but a byproduct has been a better overall camp because starters are being pushed by talented players behind them on the depth chart.
“We brought a lot of new players in this year,” Weidl said. “We have a lot of competition across the board, and it’s created a positive environment in practice. Competition brings out the best. Cream rises to the top. We’re seeing it right now. Guys are out there battling. It’s a good thing. It’s a healthy competition.”
Having more talented players on the depth chart also gives the Steelers flexibility in constructing their roster. Tomlin noted the specialized nature of the NFL game in 2023 and how helpful it is to have players with versatility.
Now more than ever, spots on the 53-man roster have to be filled by players with varied skill sets. When players such as offensive lineman Kendrick Green display the ability to play fullback and H-back, it not only helps his cause, but it potentially can help the team’s cause.
The Steelers are experimenting with Green in camp and others. For example, defensive ends DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk have been playing multiple positions along the defensive line this camp.
“There is an attention in the matchup component of the game today you cannot deny,” Tomlin said. “Things trend and move in the game. The situational matchup component is big and getting bigger by the moment. You better position yourself to play that game with depth and depth with various skill sets. That’s something we focus on.”
The first opportunity for players to try to carve out roles on the 53-man roster starts with the Buccaneers game. Practices are important, but more weight is always given to how players perform in preseason games.
“The position versatility helps,” Weidl said. “The more you can do, the more hats you can wear, it’s going to help your cause and raise your value. Smart, tough, love the game, availability — all that stuff comes into play.”
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: August 9, 2023, 5:12 p.m.
Updated: August 9, 2023, 9:49 p.m.
