Steelers Now
UNITY TWP, Pa. — For a moment on Sunday, Mike Tomlin offered a perspective not from his Pittsburgh Steelers head coaching seat, but one more from an anticipation standpoint.
On Tuesday, the pads come on, bringing with them the physicality that the coach and his players have been craving over the past four days of training camp practice at St. Vincent College. Tomlin is looking forward to seeing the team’s running backs crash into the linebackers.
He’s most excited to see two members of those position groups work against each other in the passing game.
“You know, I like Kenny (Gainwell) versus Payton Wilson in routes,” Tomlin said after practice on Sunday. “Kenny G is showing a really good aptitude from a route-running standpoint out of the backfield. Payton Wilson, in the second year, is a guy that’s working to be dominant in the area. It’s just one of those matchups that has my attention.”
Gainwell, a fifth-year tailback, totaled 102 grabs over four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before joining the Steelers as a free agent. He poses a receiving threat out of the backfield, and even split out, as he’d been on multiple occasions during the first week of practice.
Gainwell squeezed a shovel pass from Aaron Rodgers during the Steelers’ first team period on Sunday. He caught a swing route during the second with Pat Freiermuth leading the way on the left sideline.
“Kenny is experienced and versatile,” Tomlin said. “That’s why we require him, not only as a runner, but also as a kick returner in the special teams game.”
Meanwhile, Wilson’s ability to check pass-catchers was part of what made him so desirable as a third-round draft pick in 2024.
“The reality is in today’s game, so much of the matchup component is about guys’ ability to cover people, put dangerous people inside and underneath,” Tomlin said. “So athletic linebackers are an asset.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Names Padded Steelers Matchup He’s Most Excited to See
