The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a fresh era with newly-hired head coach Mike McCarthy. The change from Mike Tomlin brings a brand new look to the coaching staff with 19 hires. With plenty of unfamiliar faces, Pittsburgh will start to look different on the field with changes in how it will call plays and teach players unique tactics. One area that is embracing the change is offensive line; going from Pat Meyer to James Campen.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Former Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin meets with ex-Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy after a game.
Both are veteran coaches that have been around the game for a very long time that had different philosophies when it came to teaching lineman different skills. The players on this team are able to walk away with the insight that Meyer gave them and then new things that Campen can bring them now. That all helps, but the key now will be if Campen can truly develop them into the strong unit that Pittsburgh needs them to be.
There are plenty of shuffles on the line, including swapping the tackles from Troy Fautanu to the left and Dylan Cook to the right side. Cook is expected to get his first real opportunity as a starter in 2025 after three years in the league. Cook is a guy that has really taken on the change of coaching and has been able to see the key differences that it has brought.
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Steelers' offensive lineman Troy Fautanu stands on the playing surface as the team warms up on the field prior to a 2025 training camp practice being held at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Cook shared the changes that he has noticed in an interview on Youtube and with what he's noticed, Meyer was the one that emphasized initiating the battle in the trenches, where Campen is conservative and wants to wait for the battle to come to them.
"They’ve both been around the league so long they both know a lot of different techniques," Cook stated. "I would say Campen is definitely big having your feet in the ground and punching at the same time. So, he’s more hands and feet connected. Coach Meyer, his pass rush or pass protection philosophy was just first significant contact. He would talk about our feet, but he wanted us to be the ones to initiate the fight, more so than coach Camp is just the fight’s going to come to you. Just make sure your feet are prepared, your hands are prepared. Similar, but different. They’re both great coaches."
Both approaches have worked, but Campen's is quite interesting. There will be a fight every play from both sides, so being prepared for the rusher to make his move while keeping the hands and feet ready to go makes a lot of sense. At the same time though, Meyer's idea of the first to make contact also can be a solid move. If it's a big hit that disrupts the speed coming off the edge, then it completely slows down the defense's plan.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer bends down to speak to some of the players on his unit during a practice in Pittsburgh, PA.
There isn't anything wrong with either, it's just what do the players respond to best. It seems like an area that may be subjective to the player. A cookie cutter approach won't do all five lineman any good with different skillsets. Cook seems to have both in his back pocket and thinks both coaches are great. He trusts them both and his knowledge can help turn him into a strong blocker on the right side.
Steelers' Cook Could Be The Next Star Of The Offensive Line
Cook has shown that he can start for the Steelers and give quality reps. This new aspect that Campen is bringing may be able to make him a more well-rounded lineman. Being unpredictable by the defense could help him emerge as a star at right tackle, giving Pittsburgh another standout that can build an elite offensive line for years to come.
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