Steelers News: Tyler Matakevich, the mentor? How Dirty Red’s smarts might secure him a roster spot

With all of the Steelers’ 2019 offseason workouts in the rear view mirror, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan base has to suffer through the dog days of summer until the boys of fall return to the gridon. In the meantime, don’t think the news surrounding the black-and-gold is over. As the team disperses for the summer, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until training camp!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how despite the drafting of Devin Bush, and the addition of Mark Barron, Tyler Matakevich’s football IQ and understanding of the Steelers’ defense might have his spot on the 53-man roster locked up.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers invested heavily in the inside linebacker position this offseason, but that doesn’t mean Tyler Matakevich is now expendable.

Wait, Matakevich the mentor? Better believe it

By: Hunter Homistek, DKPittsburghSports

Tyler Matakevich is a goofball in the best possible way.

”Dirty Red” is constantly engaged in the locker room, cracking jokes and cuttin’ it up with his Steelers teammates. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Temple, Matakevich has made just one career start, largely handling special teams duties as a pro.

But even for Matakevich — a guy who oozes positivity and fun — something feels different and even more exciting this year inside the locker room. Throughout OTAs and minicamp at the Rooney Complex, players talked of team chemistry and their strengthened bonds as teammates.

“I think we’re just goofballs,” T.J. Watt was telling me, even stealing my words in the process. “We hang out a lot off the field and I think that kind of builds that relationship. There’s nothing fake out here. This is all real emotion. We truly care about each and every guy out here, and I think that’s why you see us having so much fun.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Laying out what the options are for Mike Hilton when it come to a new contract as a Restricted Rights Free Agent.

Asked and Answered: July 11

By: Bob Labriola, Steelers.com

CRAIG MOXON FROM OMAHA, NE: What are the prospects for Mike Hilton and his contract? I’ve been a fan of his and would like to see him continue to develop as a slot corner with the Steelers.

ANSWER: As an exclusive rights free agent, Mike Hilton’s options are to play for the Steelers at what they’re willing to pay him or not play at all for any NFL team in 2019. The Steelers currently don’t have the kind of salary cap space to do anything for Hilton contractually, and Hilton himself has said he will not hold out. I see this scenario ending with Hilton reporting to Saint Vincent College and playing the 2019 season for the $645,000 mandated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement for a player of his experience.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• When people talk about unheralded heroes of a football team, they rarely talk about the athletic training staff. Nonetheless, the Steelers are fortunate they have one of the best teams in the NFL on their side.

Taking care of business

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

The athletic training room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is unusually quiet these days.

And there is one reason, and one reason only.

The players are off until the start of training camp at Saint Vincent College.

But don’t let the quiet fool you. The work as the athletic training staff prepares for camp, and the season, never stops. While there might not be ankles to tape and injuries to tend to, this is still a time of constant activity for Head Athletic Trainer John Norwig and his staff of Sonia Ruef, Jon Andino and Daveon Lee, as well as a team of interns that grows when camp begins.

Like other departments, the athletic training staff uses the time after the team’s minicamp ends to prepare for training camp. Moving basically an entire medical facility from one location to another isn’t an easy task. It requires organization, it requires effort and it requires teamwork to have everything packed and then unpacked and ready to go at Saint Vincent College.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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