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On Sunday current Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin both individually met with the Pittsburgh media ahead of the NFL league meetings this week in Florida. With both men being asked some of the same questions, here are the top eight topics discussed by either Colbert or Tomlin and their responses as reported by various sources:
Quarterback
One topic asked of both Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin was their approach to the quarterback position going into the 2022 season. Colbert discussed how the Steelers did not want to give up draft capital to add a veteran quarterback and how that made for a good fit to acquire Mitch Trubisky.
This per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor:
On a conference call, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says they didn’t want to give up draft capital in adding a veteran quarterback — taking them out of the trade market. That was a big reason why they pursued Mitch Trubisky so aggressively.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
Even after the Steelers signed a free agent quarterback, this does not mean they have shut the door on drafting the position in 2022.
This per Pryor:
Kevin Colbert also said that adding a QB in free agency doesn’t preclude them from drafting another.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
“We’ve been at top quarterback pro days for the first time in a long time because we may be in a position where we have (a need). Does that mean we’re taking one? Possibly.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Colbert’s statement that the Steelers are still open to drafting a quarterback in April. For this reason, Tomlin has done his due diligence so far in attending pro days ahead of the draft.
This once again per Brooke Pryor:
Like Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin says adding Mitch Trubisky in free agency doesn’t keep them from drafting a QB.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
He called the last week of Pro Days he attended “Quarterback Week.”
Starters
General manager Kevin Colbert stated on Sunday that he feels the Steelers have 24 of their 25 starters, including special teams, currently on their roster. The one position the Steelers are still lacking is strong safety.
This per Steelers.com‘s Teresa Varley:
GM Kevin Colbert on a call said he feels like they have all of the starting positions in place right now other than strong safety. Said they will still challenge everyone who is in a starting position, though.
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
Stephon Tuitt
Upon discussing the Steelers starters, Colbert was asked if one of those is considered to be Stephon Tuitt. Colbert stated Tuitt is on the roster and the Steelers are looking forward to having him back, but also considers Chris Wormley as a starter due to his play during the 2021 season.
This per DKPittsburghSports’ Dale Lolley:
I asked Colbert if Stephon Tuitt is one of those 24 starters. He said Tuitt remains on the roster and they would like to have him back. But also said that he considers Chris Wormley a starter due to his experience
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) March 27, 2022
Since it was asked of Kevin Colbert, Mike Tomlin was also asked about Stephon Tuitt and his availability for 2022. Coach Tomlin is excited to get Tuitt back on the field, and he’s optimistic he will be returning but does not have any specific details to if this will definitely be the case.
This per Teresa Varley:
Coach Tomlin on Stephon Tuitt: 'I'm excited and optimistic. But I don't have any definitive information regarding his participation in 2022 as we sit here.'
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
New General Manager
Since it has already been reported Kevin Colbert has been involved in the process of hiring a new general manager to take over for the Steelers following the 2022 NFL draft, he was asked about the GM search so far. According to Colbert, the first round of interviews have been concluded and the Steelers will be getting to round two following the draft.
This per Brooke Pryor:
On the general manager search, Kevin Colbert said they’ve concluded the first round of interviews with 16 candidates, many of which were on a comprehensive list when they started the process, and will pick back up with round 2 after the NFL Draft next month.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
Kendrick Green
Another specific player who was brought up in Mike Tomlin‘s time with the media was 2021 starting center, Kendrick Green. Tomlin was asked if he was open to moving Green to guard, a position where he played more in college. While Tomlin did not confirm that a move would definitely be taking place, he said he was open to the possibility in order to put the best unit on the field.
This per Teresa Varley:
Coach Tomlin said he is open to switching Kendrick Green to put the best unit on the field and have quality depth.
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
Inside Linebackers
Rather than look at each individual player, coach Tomlin was asked about inside linebackers Myles Jack and Devin Bush. When discussing Jack, Coach Tomlin noted his excitement with joining the team as one of the things that really attracted them to him.
This per Teresa Varley:
'He is a see ball, get ball type.' - Coach Tomlin on Myles Jack
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
Added that the thing that fires him up the most is the level of excitement he had about coming to the Steelers.
As for Devin Bush, Coach Tomlin is hoping he will be making strides in 2022 after getting a year of playing time following his major knee surgery.
This again per Teresa Varley:
'I expect him to get better, just like I expect all of our young players to get better. I am excited about him getting back out there and having a clean bill of health.' - Coach Tomlin on Devin Bush
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
Brian Flores
Being the first time Coach Tomlin has spoken to the media since the end of the 2021 NFL season, it was his first opportunity to discuss the hiring of defensive assistant coach Brian Flores. Coach Tomlin said, much like Myles Jack, Brian Flores had a level of enthusiasm when it came to joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This per Teresa Varley:
Coach Tomlin said Brian Flores shared the same level of enthusiasm about joining the Steelers as the team had him about Flores joining them.
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
Said he can bring a lot to the table. Said his contributions will be significant.
Tomlin went on to discuss his relationship with Flores and how he did not want him to feel as if he was on an island.
This per Brook Pryor:
Mike Tomlin, in part, on his relationship with Brian Flores:
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
"I wanted to stay close to Brian when his legal issues started. I just didn’t want him to feel like he was on an island. From a coaching fraternity standpoint, I owed him that. ... I was in position to provide that."
Coach Tomlin also went on to discuss the role of Brian Flores in the defense for this coming season. Although he has a specific title, Tomlin expects the contributions from Flores to be significant.
This per Brooke Pryor:
More Mike Tomlin on Brian Flores: "Senior defensive assistant and linebacker coach is his title, but there’s so many ways that he’s going to help us and help me. ... His contributions are going to be significant."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
Pro Days
Both Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin made comments about the ongoing Pro Days they have been attending leading up to the 2022 NFL draft. In fact, Colbert is not at the meetings in Florida as he will be attending Pro Days this week.
This per Teresa Varley:
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert is not at the NFL Owners Meetings in Florida, instead he will be attending Pro Days this week.
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) March 27, 2022
In discussing why he personally attends so many Pro Days, head coach Mike Tomlin gave some insight, as well as possibly another Tomlinism, as to why he attends so many. Tomlin also voiced his frustration in missing North Carolina’s Pro Day on Monday.
This per Brooke Pryor:
Why does Mike Tomlin attend so many Pro Days?
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 27, 2022
“I like to work… I’d rather be out beating the bushes than be behind a desk.”
Tomlin said he’ll miss Sam Howell’s Pro Day in Chapel Hill tomorrow because he’s at owners meetings in Palm Beach.
“Yeah, and I’m pissed about it.”
The Steelers front office has drawn some criticism from fans for making their intentions known to the rest of the league about how they want to proceed in the upcoming draft. When it comes to tipping their hand by attending certain Pro Days, Mike Tomlin is not concerned with hiding it.
This per The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly:
Tomlin about tipping his hand by going to certain Pro Days: "We understand speculation comes with it but we aren't hiding."
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 27, 2022
With the Steelers preparing for the 2022 NFL draft as well as continuing to work through free agency, there is a lot to unpack from the remarks of both Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin. Make sure you stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for continued breakdown of both Colbert’s and Tomlin’s statements in the coming days.
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