Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed the importance of destination training camps, adapting to changes in team personnel, and his approach to preseason preparation during a recent interview.
Tomlin said he values the intangible benefits that come from holding training camp at a destination location. “I love to work to capture that which we cannot measure but we know is significant – that camaraderie, component of team, the understanding that’s required to be great as a collective. I think when you’re at a destination camp, it’s those informal moments, the evenings on picnic tables and spending time in each other’s rooms, getting to know one another. That’s the value in the destination camp. The formal work, there is no difference. But there comes a point in time when you’re not at a destination camp, where the formal work is done and people get in their cars and they go to their respective homes. And I just think it’s a winning edge to be at a destination place, to live and to eat together, to spend informal time together. I just think it’s part of team development that is very much a real thing. We can’t measure it, but we know when we’re good in that space, that cohesion, that camaraderie. It gets you out of a lot of tough circumstances,” Tomlin said.
Addressing whether players need to like each other for success, Tomlin explained that mutual respect and understanding are more important than personal affinity. “I’ve had a lot of success where guys didn’t necessarily like each other, but you better understand each other and you better respect each other. It’s probably words that resonate more with me along those lines and so that’s a process. To understand someone, their perspective on things…or to respect someone for what they’re willing to do…That’s a process…particularly when many of those guys are going to comprise the leadership of this collective…And so I’m not only training them in terms of being ready for the season, but I’m training them and getting aligned with them in terms of our values, so that they can trumpet those values and lead the collective.”
He noted that both on-field activities and informal settings contribute to building team cohesion: “Both. It has to happen through our formal work on the field and in the classroom or in the weight room, but certainly that understanding component can be developed outside those lines in much more informal settings.”
Tomlin addressed how he manages change at key positions such as quarterback following years marked by turnover: “I gotta be light on my feet…Everybody understands the nature of the roles – that being the head coach and the quarterback…and so it’s important that I spend time with those guys…It’s been an enjoyable process for me….My job is to be what this collective needs me to be…having a new quarterback room requires my time and attention.”
When asked about his reference to today’s NFL as a “coverage league,” Tomlin cited changes in offensive schemes: “Particularly in today’s game, the passing game is such an evolving and major component of play. The weighty moments are often one-dimensional passing downs…quarterback mobility…really is challenging from a coverage standpoint….there’s just a lot that’s going on in today’s game from a personnel and from a strategic standpoint.”
On defensive strategy against modern offenses: “To disrupt the normal flow of the offense…If you’re going to be a good defense, the first step…is to disrupt …their operation….in zone it’s done through re-routing eligibles…in man-to-man it’s done in bump-and-run….You have to disrupt normal flow….It’s just a component of today’s game.”
He agreed with linebacker T.J. Watt’s assessment about timing: “Very much. You’ve got to remember …a lot of passing concepts …are very timing oriented….If he gets to his third read .1 second late …what was open might not be open….the ability to disrupt all of that…is all …disrupting …rhythmic passing…to destroy success rate.”
Tomlin outlined his approach for managing minor injuries during camp by strategically resting players who could otherwise participate if it were regular season play: “Sometimes removing them from short-term participation is …not letting small thing become big thing….That’s just an example…”
He added regarding medical input: “Certainly medical experts have say…But I’ve been sitting in bi-weekly medical meetings for last 19 years…I kid our guys about how I’ve gotten lay-person’s medical degree from some …meetings….Experience…the lens through which I see it…is …component…but certainly first …technology …medical expertise are key components…”
Explaining how he decides which groups receive his attention during practice sessions based on physicality or skill drills: “When we’re fully suited…almost always go big battles…the bigger men….Physicality often defines who wins…and so my presence is required around those variables….If we’re working helmets only…you’ll see me wideouts…and defensive backs because physicality less component…when rubber meets road…it’s big man’s game…”
Looking ahead toward preseason games against other teams rather than internal scrimmages or practices among teammates—Tomlin emphasized focusing on basic execution over complexity: “It’s just game where I want see basic things from everybody…I want them make routine plays routinely.…Certain things within our control like pre-snap penalties,…management play clocks.…I expect us move appropriate personnel groups.…how transition unit unit.…So operational things really capture your attention…”
Asked if he would consider resting starting quarterbacks throughout preseason games as some NFL coaches do—Tomlin indicated openness depending upon circumstances next year: “You might be looking at one [coach who does] in 2025….Hey this guy has been doing this for 21 years.…His cumulative snap total…what’s required him be ready different than others.…if I’m not adaptable…and open adjustments relative needs our guys,…then I’m not doing my job.…so you might be looking at one those coaches 2025.”
