11 players mentioned by Mike Tomlin following arrival to training camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers reported to St. Vincent College for training camp on Wednesday. Following a conditioning test, head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media about the upcoming season. Since he was asked about a number of players, I am excited to bring back the players mentioned article to Steel Curtain Network for the 2025 season! Remember these are players where a specific question was asked during the Q&A period.

T.J. Watt

Coach Tomlin was asked how much of a relief it is to have T.J. Watt signed and in camp or if he checked the box on having at that done now.

“Certainly, we’re glad that the business component of it is done and he’s here and ready to work, but I don’t know about the relief component of it. I just know when the two sides are properly motivated, him wanting to be here and us wanting him here, that it was a matter of time before it worked out. I think the speed in which it happened once they really got focused and serious is reflective of that.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about how T.J. Watt talked a lot about the big difference between guys who are great players and won Super Bowls and guys who haven’t, and during this next chunk of Watt’s tenure what steps will be taken to help him become one of those Lombardi guys.

“I’m not worried about the rest of his tenure. I’m worried about 2025. I’m excited about the talent we acquired. That’s about getting about the business of readying them individually and collectively for this season. Our intentions are 2025.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he had football conversations about maybe moving Watt around a little bit more, doing different things with him.

“Those conversations have been ongoing in spite of the business. We’ve had an ongoing relationship for a number of years,and he has a desire to be obviously successful, and we do for him as well.So that’s just been ongoing and part of our offseason leading up to now.”

Isaac Seumalo & Spencer Anderson

Coach Tomlin was asked if there is anybody not at camp and if there are any updates. In his response, he spoke about Isaac Seumalo.

“Everyone is present and accounted for. We have one NFI. Isaac Seumalo has a soft tissue injury that could slow him at the early portions. Other than that, all present and accounted for and ready to work tomorrow morning.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Spencer Anderson stepping in for Seumalo and what’s the timeline for his injury.

“I don’t have a specific timeline for Isaac as I sit here today because I hadn’t had intimate meetings with the medical staff just in terms of the declaration. I’m comfortable with Spence. Isaac didn’t get a lot of work in the spring and Spence did. Spence has played a lot of ball for us here in recent years, particularly at that position. No real angst in regard to that discussion.”

Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., & Brandin Echols

Coach Tomlin was asked about meeting with Jalen Ramsey all the way back during his pro days and what is it about his skillset that prompted bringing him in here all these years later.

“He’s a football player first and a positional player second. When he came out in the draft, I think he was the No. 1 safety on our board as well as the No. 1 corner on our board. I think that speaks to his versatility. His tape has done nothing but solidify that perspective we had on him since he’s been in the league. Over the course of this year,you’ve seen him do a variety of things, play inside and play out. All the components of the game. Man to man coverage, run support. He has an appetite for it all. I think that’s why we were excited about him when he came out and that’s why we continue to have that level of excitement about him and excited about him being a component of this.”

Coach Tomlin was asked what he remembers about Ramsey’s pro day and what impressed him the most.

“Just his line of questioning was really impressive. Sometimes, just the nature of the questions are attractive. He had good, educated questions. He asked about things that are really pertinent to being successful in football and in this league.When they’re in the right neighborhood from a question standpoint, that gives you a good insight into their mindset, and definitively he’s confirmed that over the course of his career.”

Coach Tomlin was asked how Ramsey fits into replacing Minkah Fitzpatrick. In his response, he also mentioned Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr., and Brandin Echols.

“You know, I don’t know that he fits in terms of replacing Minkah, but this is a coverage league. You need unbelievable depth and talent at the cornerback position, because people have it in their receiver corps. We use a variety of schematics in an effort to minimize passing offenses.You got to be able to play matchup football, play man to man, particularly against the elite and deep groups. The talent we acquired in that position, particularly the cornerback position, allows us to do that in all circumstances. When you got guys like Jalen Ramsey and Slay, and JPJ , we can match up and play man to man versus anyone.That’s what is exciting to us, our ability to match up and play man to man against anyone in this game. I think it’s going to do nothing but strengthen our schematics, the supplemental things, the zone pressures, the bogus pressure and things of that nature.So, I’m really excited about the talent that we acquired, particularly at the cornerback position. You can bring Brandin Echols to that discussion as well.We’ve done an awesome jobfortifying that corner position from a talent and depth standpoint that’s going to allow us to match up against some of the many explosive units and players within them that we compete against.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he will start Jalen]Ramsey in a specific spot and see what he can do from there or move him around and see where he best fits.

“We’re going to start him regardless. Where we move him around and things really depends on what offenses are doing. Make no mistake, those Top 3 corners I mentioned, Jalen Ramsey and Slay and Joey Porter Jr., they’re going to be on the field. I don’t care when offenses come out in.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Darius Slay has safety potential.

“They’re coverage people. Describe them however you wish to describe them. They’re capable of covering eligibles and minimizing the time and success of offensive pass game.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if cover four is an option.

“Man, we got everything at our disposal with this collection of coverage people to be quite honest with you. That’s why we had the intentions that we had in terms of talent acquisition.”

Jonnu Smith & Roman Wilson

Coach Tomlin was asked if Jonnu Smith is the same as the new defensive backs as far as being a football player first and the position is second.

“Without a doubt. The intentions were the same there. We really view it through the same lens. Forget how you describe him or why. He’s a dynamic guy with the ball in his hands. He’s a matchup issue. I think he led the quote/unquote tight end group in the NFL last year in terms of yards after catch. He had 800+ yards and eight touchdowns, so that’s an eligibility that’s capable of making some splash plays for us and doing it in a variety of ways. He has firsthand experience with our offensive play caller, so we’re really excited about that.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Smith coming offsets the departure of George Pickens or if it’s an avenue they still might be investigating. In his response, Coach Tomlin mentioned Roman Wilson.

“We’ll see. I think that’s some of those questions are answered in team development, in the performance of not only Jonnu, but others. It’s a big camp for Roman Wilson for example. He’s a second-year player. I know he played little, if any, last year, but the expectations of a second-year player are the same. He showed up highly conditioned and he’s had a really good offseason. So, I don’t know that I come in with any level of anticipation of who specifically is going to do what in regards to the question that you asked, but more about just rolling that ball out and beginning this process and seeing who has evolved or who is evolving.”

Aaron Rodgers & Will Howard

Coach Tomlin was asked how he will get Aaron Rodgers ready for the season but also be a little careful with him being 41.

“He’s a workaholic. I don’t have a whole lot of reservations about that. I think he’s hardened himself over the course of his career with his attitude toward work. Certainly, I’m going to limit him in some instances. When I do, it’s going to be more about elevating opportunities for guys like Will Howard and less about preserving him to be quite honest with you.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Rodgers participation in minicamp an if it was because of how new he was to the team.

“You said it.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if he anticipates Rodgers being ready to start camp.

“Absolutely.”

Coach Tomlin was asked at what point in the Rodgers process was he pretty comfortable he was coming, and did he ever wavered from that and got a little worried.

“I probably was pretty comfortable well before you guys, you know. And no, I did not waver from that.”

Mike Tomlin’s complete interview can be seen on the Steelers YouTube Channel HERE