Steelers Now
LATROBE, Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the concerns over the slow start for the offensive unit at training camp. The Steelers have a new quarterback, starting running back and No. 1 wide receiver, so it’s only natural that there will be some growing pains.
On Friday night, the first-team offense went four-and-out in a two-minute drill, without completing a pass. A couple drops, including one from DK Metcalf, and two batted passes a the line.
“I just think it’s usual for this time year. Defenses usually develop a little faster than offenses,” Tomlin said. “The get-to-know, the cohesion that’s required to be good, it’s just a component of it. No alarm bells there.”
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is well-aware that the offense needs to pick things up.
“We wish it ended differently, but we’re working toward the end goal of Week 1 and being able to execute,” he said. “There’s gonna be some ups and downs. We’ll get it corrected. We’ve always been good in two-minute [situations].”
The slow start for the offense could also mean that the defense is set up to be elite.
All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey has made his presence known at training camp, making plays left and right. He’s also lining up all over the defense. He brings a skill set to the Steelers defense that they’ve not had in years.
“He’s a Swiss Army knife of our defense right now, you’re going to see him playing every position,” Watt said. “Anytime those guys lock down for an extra half a second, we love it cuz it allows us to get to the quarterback.”
“With Jalen, it’s not just what he does when the play is snapped, it’s what he’s doing before the play. His disguise, his level of professionalism is just on display for everybody,” Heyward added. “That first pick Aaron threw to Patrick Queen, that was because of Jalen. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do this year.”
With Ramsey, Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr. and Beanie Bishop at cornerback and DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark at safety, the Steelers could have their best secondary since 2019. On paper, the Steelers defense should create havoc this season.
Time will tell with the offense, but it’s so early in the process. Like Tomlin said, defenses generally develop faster at the early portion of the season.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from St. Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Downplays Steelers Slow Start on Offense at Camp
