Steelers Defensive Veterans Give New Coaching Staff Curious Feedback

The Pittsburgh Steelers need a change after an early exit in the postseason this January, but there could be a learning curve for veteran players under new head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff. 

The Steelers opted to run it back for one more season with Aaron Rodgers under center with a core group of defense veterans like Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey and T.J. Watt. 

When speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Heyward said the Steelers are embracing the changes under McCarthy, even if some players would like things to stay as they were under former head coach Mike Tomlin, but noted that there are "young coaches" on McCarthy's staff that have a lot to learn this spring.

"You embrace the change," Heyward said, via the Steelers. "I think there are things you want to stay the same, but you have to be willing to put your ego aside and do what's best for the group. 

"It's not just young players, it's young coaches, too, that still have to learn, and we want to be an olive branch to that."

Ramsey didn't want to compare the new scheme under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to what the Steelers had under Tomlin, saying the scheme usually evolves year to year. 

However, the three-time All-Pro isn't sure where he fits in the new system yet during mandatory OTAs, saying he needed to have talks with the coaching staff about his position.

"I think we have to have more conversations about it, and things have to evolve," Ramsey said.

McCarthy and his staff are bringing a detail-oriented approach to Pittsburgh. Graham has been particular about making sure his guys are on the same page and communicating properly. 

Heyward suggested some of the players on defense are trying to make tweaks to the new coaching staff's terminology to better fit the personnel asked to run the defense.

"He's very detail-oriented," Heyward said of Graham. "He's thrown a lot at our guys and seeing how well we absorb it. 

"There could be some things where we're like, 'Coach, we could shorten this a little bit,' just because we understand the call and what we're trying to accomplish.” "We also have some things that might look the same."

The new coaching staff and veterans are feeling each other out this spring. When training camp rolls around in July, the team needs to get on the same page if they hope to defend the AFC North title.