Steelers notes: Mike McCarthy is pleased with the player turnout during spring workouts – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Steelers opened their mandatory minicamp this week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, marking the final phase of the team’s offseason program. With 90 players on the roster, the sessions serve as a dress rehearsal for training camp as the organization integrates new personnel and evaluates contract-year veterans. The practices, which run through Thursday, represent the only period of the offseason where attendance is contractually required under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, with fines stipulated for unexcused absences.

Safety Depth and Roster Additions

The Steelers addressed their backend depth by signing safety Darnell Savage to a one-year contract just as minicamp commenced. A first-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2019 NFL Draft, Savage brings significant experience to the secondary. According to Steelers.com, the veteran has appeared in 88 games with 82 starts across his career, having spent time with the Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders, and Buffalo Bills. His addition provides defensive coordinator Teryl Austin with a versatile chess piece capable of playing deep safety or dropping into the slot, a necessity given the team’s shift toward more sub-package heavy looks in 2026.

cluster (priority): Steelers Depot

Savage’s resume includes 367 career tackles and 10 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown during the 2023 NFC Wild Card game against the Dallas Cowboys. His arrival comes as the team looks to stabilize a defense that faced significant personnel shifts over the last year. The front office targeted Savage specifically to provide veteran insurance in the event of further injury attrition, as the team looks to improve upon a 2025 campaign where defensive continuity was frequently disrupted by mid-season roster churn.

DeShon Elliott’s Return to the Field

Safety DeShon Elliott is participating in minicamp, signaling his recovery from a season-ending injury that limited him to five games in 2025. Despite the setback, Elliott expressed optimism about his health and his role in the upcoming season. As reported by Steelers Depot, the veteran safety stated he is ready to move past the adversity of the previous year. His participation in 11-on-11 drills this week is a significant milestone, as he was sidelined for the entirety of the spring OTA sessions while completing his rehabilitation protocols.

“I’ve been hurt a couple times, so the usual. First six months is hard, and the last three is pretty easy. I’m good now. Ready to play ball.”

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DeShon Elliott, Steelers safety

Elliott noted that he struggled with both on-field and off-field challenges throughout the 2025 campaign. Reflecting on his transition back to full participation, he added, “It’s a lot of adversity you’ve got to go through. I had a lot going on last year, on the field, off the field. Right now, I’m just happy to play ball again. I’ve put that behind me.” His return is critical for the Steelers, who are looking to solidify their starting duo at safety before the team reports to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe for the start of training camp on July 23.

Contract Status and Mandatory Participation

With the sessions officially categorized as mandatory, the coaching staff is monitoring the attendance of the entire 90-man roster. While voluntary organized team activities have concluded, the transition to minicamp carries higher stakes regarding player availability. TribLIVE.com reports that while no veterans are expected to skip the sessions, the focus remains on players entering the final year of their contracts, including Patrick Queen, Keeanu Benton, Darnell Washington, Nick Herbig, and Joey Porter Jr. For players like Queen, who signed a high-profile free agent deal, this minicamp is the first opportunity to integrate into the defensive signal-calling responsibilities within the team’s base 3-4 front.

The concept of a “hold-in”—where a player attends team functions but abstains from high-intensity 11-on-11 drills—remains a point of interest for observers. Although past instances involving veteran players have occurred, their impact on contract negotiations varies significantly based on remaining years of team control. As the team moves toward the July and August ramp-up period, these practices provide the most formal look at the coaching staff’s defensive schemes. Head coach Mike Tomlin has emphasized that while the playbook remains consistent, the specific personnel groupings will undergo “significant experimentation” during these three days to account for the new depth acquired in the secondary and at linebacker.

Program Outlook and Fan Engagement

The conclusion of minicamp will effectively end the team’s organized offseason program before the break preceding training camp. Throughout this period, the organization has balanced the integration of new coaching staff members with the physical recovery of key defensive players. According to DK Pittsburgh Sports, the final days of the offseason program are critical for establishing chemistry among a roster that has seen significant turnover. The team enters the 2026 season looking to climb back into the AFC North playoff picture, with the coaching staff emphasizing that the “mental conditioning” started this week is just as vital as the physical reps.

cluster (priority): Steelers.com

For the coaching staff, the priority over the next few days is ensuring that the transition from individual drills to full team sessions is seamless. With the defensive unit aiming to recover from a difficult 2025 season, the health of players like Elliott and the successful onboarding of veterans like Savage will be central to the team’s defensive identity heading into the 2026 season. The Steelers are slated to open their preseason schedule in August, but the work done at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex this week serves as the foundation for the team’s defensive installation, which will be tested early when the team begins its regular season slate in September.