The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding training camp under a coach other than Mike Tomlin for the first time since 2006, and things are clearly quite different.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who has covered the Steelers since 1993, revealed that Monday’s practice was the “most tame, uneventful first day in pads” he had seen while covering the team. Running back Jaylen Warren did not speak in terms quite as stark, but it was pretty obvious that the Steelers were ratcheting down the intensity under Mike McCarthy relative to what things were like under Tomlin.
“It’s not what we’re used to,” Warren told reporters.
That was the most tame, uneventful first day in pads I've seen in all my years at training camp. "It's not what we're used to," said RB Jaylen Warren.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 3, 2026
Tomlin was certainly known for his intensity. That approach did yield results, as he never actually posted a losing season in his time coaching the Steelers. On the other hand, this does not necessarily need to be a bad thing, especially if McCarthy’s lighter touch keeps players fresh later into the season.
McCarthy has a reputation as a players’ coach, and his players loved him in Dallas, where he last coached. If the Steelers have a strong first season under him, nobody will be bothered by him being a bit less tough on his players. If they do not, expect to hear criticism about him taking too soft an approach.
