Steelers Burning Question: Does OTAs attendance matter?

Last season I did the Friday Night Steelers Six Pack and wondered if it was worth doing further. After all, interaction was not great, and sometimes you just have to adjust. So I decided to call an audible, and not just abandon the Friday night meeting of the black-and-gold minds.

Instead of six questions, I wanted to focus solely on one question.

We’ll still do the preamble of what you’re eating/drinking/listening to, but we’ll focus our attention on the one Steelers question of the week. Don’t worry, most weeks I’ll do a bonus/extra credit question for fun. With all that out of the way, let’s get to the question!

Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are a great way to get some football injected back into our veins, but the one question I always have during these days is, “Does attendance matter?”

As you probably know, T.J. Watt and DK Metcalf missed the first week of OTAs, but does it matter?

These workouts are voluntary, but does the absence of two of the biggest names on the roster impact the team? While the coach in my says it absolutely does, but the reality is it likely doesn’t mean much.

I feel this is the first stage of team building, and while T.J. Watt is a proven veteran with the team, the same can’t be said for Metcalf. Metcalf is still getting acclimated to his new digs, and, if I’m being honest, Watt has to get comfortable with his new teammates on the defensive side of the ball.

I say it bothers me, but if Metcalf and Watt were to show up next week, I’d celebrate their attendance and consider it water under the bridge.

What say you?

As for what I’m eating, this week was my wife’s birthday, so we’re going out to eat on the rare occasion without children. As for drink, it’s going to be lemon water and whatever whacky music is playing at the restaurant!

Happy Friday everyone!!