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While the Pittsburgh Steelers are currently focused on the NFL Draft, they are only a few weeks away from the start of their offseason training program, announcing the dates for organized team activities and their mandatory minicamp in 2019 on Monday.
As per the rules of the CBA, the offseason is effectively broken down into three stages, with phase one running for two weeks from April 15 this year. Activities during this period are limited to strength and conditioning training only and are restricted to just four hours a day. The NFLPA breaks down phase one as follows:
Two weeks | Limited to strength and conditioning activities (“dead ball”); only strength and conditioning coaches allowed on field*
90 minute max on the field
Clubs can only specify 2 hours for players to be at the facility
Players choose the other 2 hours for weights, etc.
Phase two for Pittsburgh will begin on April 29 and will run for three weeks. During this time, the Steelers can conduct on-field workouts and drills, but no live contact is allowed. This is also the first time players selected in the 2019 draft will meet many of their new teammates, with Pittsburgh allowed to hold a three-day rookie minicamp during this phase. One that must be held within two weeks of the draft ending. Limited to four hours a day, these are the rules of phase two as per the NFLPA:
Three weeks | same rules as phase one apply except:
All coaches allowed on the field
Individual and “perfect play” drills allowed
No offense vs. defense, no one - on - one, no helmets
Phase three will run from May 21 until June 6, with Pittsburgh set to hold 10 voluntary training sessions that can include team offense versus team defense activities as part of 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills. Live contract is still not permitted during this stage and each day can last no more than six hours. Phase three OTA rules as per the NFLPA:
4 weeks total
3 weeks for 10 total OTA’s
A maximum of 3 OTA’s each week for the first 2 weeks
During Weeks 1 & 2 a 4th non OTA workout is allowed but phase two rules apply
A maximum of 4 OTA’s for the 3rd or 4th week
One week for mini camp
No pads except protective knee and elbow pads, helmets are permitted
No live contact
7 on 7, 9 on 7 and 11 on 11 drills will be permitted provided no live contact takes place
Dates of Steelers OTAs in 2019
- OTA #1 - Tuesday, May 21
- OTA #2 - Wednesday, May 22
- OTA #3 - Thursday, May 23
- OTA #4 - Tuesday, May 28
- OTA #5 - Wednesday, May 29
- OTA #6 - Thursday, May 30
- OTA #7 - Monday, June 3
- OTA #8 - Tuesday, June 4
- OTA #9 - Wednesday, June 5
- OTA #10 - Thursday, June 6
Phase three also includes a mandatory three-day minicamp that will run from June 11 until June 13 and can last upto 10 hours a day. Phase three minicamp rules as per the NFLPA:
Physicals on Monday but no practice
Practices Tuesday-Thursday, with a day off on friday
Allowed two practices totaling 3 ½ Hours on the field per day
Second practice limited to walk through activities only
With the exception of the Steelers minicamp in June, the rest of their offseason training program is voluntary. That being said, every name on the roster will be expected to attend and it is rare to note that many players staying away.