Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin says the unknown is always a component of the first week of the NFL season. Not only is he getting his first look at his team under regular season conditions, but he is facing the Atlanta Falcons, who have an all-new coaching staff led by head coach Raheem Morris, Tomlin’s old friend.
At his news conference yesterday, the coach said the Falcons did not play their starters much in the preseason, so the Steelers are relying on their knowledge of Morris and his coaches with other teams. Morris was the defensive coordinator of the Rams last year.
Tomlin does know that Atlanta has an explosive offense led by Kirk Cousins.
The Steelers will be relying on some of their recently-drafted young talent, from this year’s draft and last year’s too, especially on the offensive line, where rookie Zach Frazier will start at center, second-year player Spencer Anderson will line up at right guard, and either Broderick Jones or Troy Fautanu, the last two first-round draft picks,will play right tackle.
The Steelers and defensive captain Cam Heyward have agreed to a three-year contract, through 2026. It replaces the final year of his old contract and is worth $45 million, with $16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of close to $15 million, according to ESPN. The new deal also reduces Heyward’s salary cap hit by about $9 million.
Heyward is a six-time Pro Bowl player and a three-time All-Pro who missed seven games last year with a groin injury and was limited by the injury when he returned. He had surgery after aggravating the injury in Week One and then had more surgery on the other side after the season. He was named NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year in February.
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