Teresa Varley

Tuesday, May 27

Back at it:It was back to work for the Steelers on Tuesday, with the first day of OTAs (Organized Team Activities) taking place at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

OTAs aren't mandatory, but that didn't matter to linebacker Patrick Queen.

He wanted to be there.

"I think it's really important to get to meet new teammates, new players in new positions, new calls, new schemes, new things that you're putting in right now," said Queen. "So, I think it is important to be here if you can be here. A lot of people are dealing with a lot of stuff that we might not know about or stuff that we do know about, and they've just got to take care of it. So, I think it's important in all facets to be here, but also focus on yourself at the same time."

There was a large turnout of players on hand for Day 1, something that didn't go unnoticed by Queen.

"I think we've got mostly everybody that's going to be starting on defense," said Queen. "So, that's always huge to have those guys here. And like I said, we've got a lot of new stuff that we're doing, a lot people in different places, a lot of new schemes. So, it's definitely exciting to be here right now."

In addition to new faces, one change for Queen is working closer with fellow linebacker Payton Wilson. Last year it was Elandon Roberts who lined up alongside Queen. This year he is already seeing more of Wilson with Roberts departing via free agency.

"We've got young guys coming in with Jack (Sawyer) off the edge," said Queen. "We got some new corners; we've got new safeties. Payton now alongside me. So that's going to be fun. Offensively, haven't gotten to see too much of the new guys on offense, mostly handling my business on defense, but I think we got a lot of key pieces on the scene."

One thing Queen loves, is he is now on the scene for his second season. While he has a new position coach in inside linebackers coach Scott McCurley, unlike last year when there was a learning curve for him, adapting to a new team, new scheme, and honestly, new everything, this year, it's old hat.

"I'm actually looking forward to going throughout this offseason without this being all brand new," said Queen. "Being able to have some familiarity while you go through this entire team development process, it's a little bit better this time.

"I've still I got a new coach. A few new people on defense, nothing crazy. But still just getting comfortable with the new stuff that we're doing right now, just getting comfortable with the coach, how he wants things done, the way he wants us to play. It's just mostly the same fundamentals, but new little nuances here and there. So just getting used to all that stuff right now."

On hand Day 1:A player who could have easily been given a pass on being at Day 1 of OTAs is defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.

Entering his 15th season, Heyward has definitely been there, done that on the OTA front.

But he was there with his teammates working on Tuesday.

"I am going through the process, going through the process," said Heyward. "It's not anything crazy. I wanted to get out here. I'll get back to the offseason stuff, what I've been doing and training, but it's fun to mix it up."

Heyward even spent extra time on the field after practice, working with the other defensive linemen to just get a little bit more work in.

"These are things I practice every day," said Heyward. "So, if I get them in practice or I get them after practice, it doesn't matter. It's just sharpening the tools."

No doubt Heyward is the veteran presence on the line, his participation a sign to the younger players of what the offseason program is all about.

It's something he learned from players before him, guys like Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel, and now he is the shining example for rookies like Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black.

"It's early in the process, but I think it comes down to communicating the right way, getting on good footing, seeing what their questions are and then going from there," said Heyward. "I think learning from those guys before me, one, you've got to be receptive to it. I think Derrick, Yahya, they've all been receptive. It's the first day, but that's half the battle. And then questions will come around, just being a resource for them early on in their careers, trying to get them ready for the season."

As Heyward stressed, it is only the first day of OTAs, but from what he has seen of Harmon, the team's No. 1 draft pick, he likes.

"I think he moves well, plays with his hands," said Heyward. "Definitely gets on the edge a lot more than a lot of younger guys. I think it's just computing that to our scheme and getting guys caught up.

"He's definitely capable of playing this year. It's just getting caught up, dealing with the rookie wall as it comes about. But I think he's positioned himself well to contribute."

Heyward said it's not to the point where it's 'about passing the torch,' but rather making sure the young players are up to speed so they can make an impact.

"It's about how can we make this team the best it can be," said Heyward. "It's not about holding secrets or anything. It's about making sure we're all growing at a pace that by week one, we're ready to kick this thing up. I'll pass the torch when I have to, but I think the main thing is making sure that we're a strong unit that from top to bottom we can compete with anybody."

Taking care of himself:Nickelback Beanie Bishop knows if he does things the right way, there is a spot for him in the starting lineup when the season rolls around. But he also knows in football anything can happen.

"It's my spot right now, but you've got to always work and keep that competitive edge to remain with the one team," said Bishop. "I wasn't drafted at all. So, who knows. We're still in the offseason. They still could bring a guy in. But I always have that fire underneath me."

One thing is for sure, if the No. 1 spot is his when the season rolls around, it's because he has earned it on and off the field.

Bishop spent a good portion of the offseason getting himself in different shape, focusing on building muscle for strength.

"I lost a lot of fat, just changing my diet," said Bishop. "It was a long process too. Especially with my baking stuff. Guys were asking how do you do that with the baking? I was bringing a lot of the sweets here, cutting back on fried foods and making a lot of stuff myself. I was meal-prepping a lot. I got a smart scale at home. I even got in a routine of a breakfast that I eat every morning, just trying make sure that the calorie intake and stuff stays the same.

"Right now, since we're training more and started OTAs, the calorie intake goes up a little bit."

He said it:Receiver Calvin Austin III said he has made big strides heading into his fourth season, on the field and just with his overall approach.

"Just having that confidence that anytime I step on the field, no one can guard me," said Austin. "Just confidence in my abilities, confidence in my teammates, confidence in the things that I say, confidence in the way that I work and my routes, just overall confidence.

"I just want to go out there and be ready to play ball for real."

Welcome aboard:The Steelers signed receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig, who immediately got to work on Day 1 of OTAs.

Lemonious-Craig spent two seasons at the University of Arizona (2023-24), after transferring from Colorado, where he spent three seasons (2020-22).

For his college career, he appeared in 47 games, finishing with 79 receptions for 965 yards, a 12.2-yard average, and nine touchdowns.

In two seasons at Arizona he appeared in 24 games, pulling in 45 receptions for 468 yards, a 10.4-yard average, and four touchdowns.

While at Colorado, he played in 23 games, finishing with 34 receptions for 497 yards, a 14.6-yard average, and five touchdowns.

Roman approach:It was only the first of six scheduled Organized Team Activities on the South Side, but to second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson it might as well have been the regular-season opener at the New York Jets.

"Really, my goals for the season, get better every single day, treat every day like it's game day, every practice like it's game day," Wilson maintained.

The specifics applied toward that end include "come prepared with questions to ask coaches after practice," Wilson continued. "Just be mentally, physically locked in every, single day and just give it my all, give it all I got every, single day so I can get better the next day and be ready for whenever my time is."

The depth chart at wide receiver in the wake of the George Pickens trade suggests opportunity might come knocking for Wilson sooner rather than later.

"Everything I just said you've got to have some urgency with it," Wilson insisted. "You've got to get going, and I'm ready for it."

Wilson never did get going a season ago as a third-round draft pick out of Michigan. He suffered an injury on the first day in pads during training camp at Saint Vincent College and wound up appearing in just one game (a 32-13 win on Oct. 13 at Las Vegas).

Wilson wasn't targeted and ended up playing just five offensive snaps as a rookie. He had accounted for 48 receptions, 789 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches in 2023 at Michigan.

"I don't want to think too much about last year," Wilson said. "But I definitely learned a lot and it definitely helped to shape who I am this upcoming season."

Wilson also has a new veteran from whom he can learn this season it Metcalf, who had already managed to make an impression on Wilson during the early stages of the Steelers' offseason program prior to OTAs.

"I just like watching him," Wilson acknowledged. "He's a phenomenal athlete, great guy. I like the way he practices. I like the way he finishes his routes and how he conducts his business."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta