It was not the kind of start Mike Tomlin was hoping for at Steelers training camp in Pittsburgh. Quarterback Russell Wilson turned up lame on Day One, suffering from a calf injury. Tomlin said Wilson could have practiced but the coach decided to bench him and give Justin Fields the first-team reps.
Other than that, things went pretty smoothly for the Steelers. Cam Heyward was a full practice participant; rookie high draft picks Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, and Mason McCormick all ran with the second-team offensive line; tight end Connor Heyward pulled up with an apparent calf injury after making a catch and run; and coaches worked with different combinations at the wide receiver and secondary alignments
All in all, Tomlin said it was a “fundamental” day.
The coach said one of his priorities in camp is establishing good communication on both sides of the football.
General manager Omar Khan spoke to the media yesterday on a number of topics, including the Cam Heyward contract extension talks. Heyward is on the last year of his deal and wants a new multi-year extension.
Khan sounded confident that they can agree on a new contract for the 35-year-old Heyward, who is coming back from an injury-filled season.
Tomlin has often talked about the progress of second-year pros being a key to any team success, and Khan feels the same way. He is excited about the prospect of second-year guys such as Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington, and even Corey Trice, the cornerback who missed all of last season with a knee injury. Khan also likes this year’s group of young players.
Khan also acknowledged the unusual position the Steelers find themselves in regarding the salary cap. They’ve got a lot of room under the cap to make a trade for a wide receiver, although he said “There’s nothing going on right now.” He also will be using some of that cap space on contract extensions, including possible new deals for Heyward, tight end Pat Freiermuth, and running back Najee Harris, who he says still may have a future in Pittsburgh after this season.
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