Steelers Could Have Plans To Keep Certain Players Away From Cameras During Hard Knocks

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for 2024 training camp to begin towards the end of July. It's going to be an important one for the team as Head Coach Mike Tomlin and co. are most likely in what will be recognized as the league's toughest division. The AFC North had all four teams finish the 2023 campaign with records above .500 and all have looked to improve in specific areas to be even more competitive in 2024. A big wrench was thrown into the season's plans as it was announced that the division would be featured on the in-season version of Hard Knocks.

It will be especially intriguing to see how the Steelers handle the cameras that will follow them around, as the organization is typically pretty tight-lipped about what goes on behind closed doors. Tomlin will likely see the most camera time for Pittsburgh as he is known as one of the more vocal coaches in the NFL, but there should be some players that the fans get to know a little bit better also.

In a version of The Athletic's AFC North Whiparound on Wednesday, the top insiders from the division were asked several questions about the upcoming season as everyone anxiously awaits training camp to get underway. Hard Knocks was an extremely popular topic and Mark Kaboly, who covers the Steelers, was not shy in the slightest when he said who the team would like the cameras to stay away from.

"I would imagine the Steelers will keep Patrick Queen and Najee Harris away from the cameras," Kaboly wrote. "But even if they don’t, there is an erase button available in the editing process."

It's an interesting comment from Kaboly. He didn't go into detail as to why, but did mention later on that Patrick Queen doesn't have much of a filter when speaking. As for Harris, his fifth-year option was declined and he could be in his last season with the franchise. He declined media interviews during all offseason workouts and it's possible that he's upset with his current situation.

Fans will want this opportunity to truly get to know some of the players they are consistently rooting for on Sundays, but no one is quite sure whether or not the Steelers organization will try and limit the kind of access that the camera crews are able to get. Kaboly did write that there isn't doubt in his mind who the star of the show will be. He gave Russell Wilson a shoutout, but was thinking of someone else.

"Wilson is a gem with the cameras on and will certainly use it to his advantage, but I wouldn’t expect anything headline-worthy. Tomlin is going to be the star, I can assure you of that. You will get a peek inside practices and meetings."

Pittsburgh has a smaller version known as The Standard, but Hard Knocks is expected to capture a little bit more than what the fan base typically gets when it's the team's media preparing and editing the videos. Tomlin is known as an intense motivator, so it will definitely be fun to watch him in action, but he may save his best for when cameras aren't present.

Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Storylines On Hard Knocks

Aside from Harris, Cameron Heyward could be in his final year with the organization if he doesn't sign a new contract extension. Arthur Smith is entering his first season as the offensive coordinator and the quarterback room has completely been revamped. It also would be incredible to get some behind the scenes looks at General Manager Omar Khan. There will be plenty to watch and talk about; it will all come down to what the Steelers want to put out there for the world to see.

Are you excited that Pittsburgh is on the exclusive in-season, divisional version of Hard Knocks? Let us know in the comments below!

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