Steelers' TJ Watt Concerned About Mike Tomlin's Obsession With Physicality: "It's A Little Sick"

The Pittsburgh Steelers' training camp in 2024 has been more intense than recent years, and a lot of that has to do with the new faces that the organization has welcomed to the roster throughout the offseason. A former rival in Patrick Queen has joined the team, which has certainly increased the physicality of the defense, especially from the linebacker spot. Head Coach Mike Tomlin seems to love what he has seen out of his team so far, despite the several fights that fans have seen in Latrobe.

Pittsburgh has intense practices during training camp. Whenever the players have their pads on, they play at full speed and tackle one another to the ground. This is fairly unique in the NFL, and it's highlighted in contact drills like backs on backers where linebackers and running backs collide at full speed. 

These drills in particular got extremely intense over the last week, and Tomlin was seen loving it. TJ Watt was interviewed by Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show With Kay Adams, and he was asked about Tomlin smiling ear to ear during hitting drills.

"Yeah, it's a little sick. He likes to see guys run into each other at full speed, but, that's what we're about here. It's about who is going to compete and who is going to turn away."

Tomlin definitely loves seeing his team get physical and chippy. Even though there have been several fights so far in training camp, which could be looked at as a negative, Tomlin has had nothing but good things to say about the energy he has seen. The fights have been in good spirit, and were born out of competition. There has been no ill will involved, just players trying to get the best out of one another.

The main players responsible for the intensity that has been seen in practice have been the running backs and linebackers. Both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren have been extremely vocal when winning reps, and it's clear they have a unique motivation and momentum that should bring a lot of optimism to the Steelers running game in 2024.

The fights that have occurred haven't been a major issue, with the biggest one coming from the offensive line protecting their quarterback. This is the type of attitude Pittsburgh fans are used to seeing, as Maurkice Pouncey wouldn't let anybody even breath on Ben Roethlisberger. The plays that came flying in to protect Justin Fields after he got hit were a pair of rookies, Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick.

This version of the Steelers have shown that they will run to the fight, not away from it. This is the type of mentality the unit needs to have, especially since they are preparing to take on one of the harder schedules in the NFL. 

Steelers Rookies Impressing Early On In Training Camp

The rookies along the offensive line have shown they have what it takes to wear the black and gold, especially the way they went after the defense after they hit Fields. Aside from that, their play has also been impressive. McCormick will be a backup in 2024, so he has at least a year to develop. Fautanu and Zach Frazier have had their moments, but overall they have impressed.

Fautanu seems as though he should be ready to start early on in the season, and the same goes for Frazier. New Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has had nothing but good things to say about his rookie center, and he seems primed to surpass Nate Herbig on the depth chart at some point. The Steelers have a history of sitting rookies at the start of the season, but with Tomlin's love for physicality, the two rookies offensive linemen could be on the field Week 1.

What do you think about Watt's comments on Tomlin loving to ramp up the physicality in practice? Let us know in the comments below!

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