Head coach changes can be hard, especially when Mike Tomlin was the only NFL head coach many in Pittsburgh’s locker room ever knew. But any concerns about a rocky transition appear unfounded. Players quickly embraced Mike McCarthy’s culture throughout voluntary spring practices, and optimism is high ahead of training camp next month.
J.J. Watt shared his perspective on the vibe inside Pittsburgh’s locker room as the brother of longtime Steelers defensive star T.J. Watt.
“I think it’s very similar. I think the vibes are great there,” Watt said via The Pat McAfee Show Monday afternoon. “I think you always have to remember the vibes are always good in the offseason. That’s how things go. But I do think it’s good.”
Based on the turnout for voluntary practices, it’s hard to argue the contrary. Veterans like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey don’t need to show up to voluntary sessions, but they did. Attendance was near-perfect throughout the spring.
Tomlin was beloved by his players, but the frustrations of getting bounced in the Wild Card round of the playoffs every year were starting to wear on everybody.
By hiring a veteran coach like Mike McCarthy with a Super Bowl track record, Pittsburgh signaled to its veterans that the goal remains the same. There would be no immediate rebuild. And hiring an offensive-minded coach signaled a clear desire for change.
New doesn’t automatically mean good, but it’s an easy concept for players to buy into, especially when an already-trusted figure in the locker room like Aaron Rodgers vouched for the guy on his way in.
McCarthy has started on the right foot, but there are necessary steps remaining to ensure it stays that way.
“Everybody’s gonna be looking at every single thing in practice and training camp. How are they gonna do things when they get to St. Vincent? How are they gonna do all those traditions and things that have been a guarantee for so long?” Watt said. “What does that look like now. What does the coaching style look like? How are practices set up? The meetings?”
We got a glimpse of his coaching style throughout the spring with obvious changes, like having no coaches on the field until warmups are done. Or not having benches on the field. It was all business, and maximizing every last minute available to the team. T.J. Watt summed up those differences, saying, “Change is good.”
It’s all resonating now, but how will that feel if the Steelers hit a three-game losing streak in the middle of December? That’s where Tomlin always shined, and just one example of where McCarthy still needs to prove himself with the team.
