Before facing Atlanta, Mike McCarthy faces a sleepless deadline as he balances roster cuts with team culture, prioritizing human dignity during the franchise's difficult 53-man transition.
The Pittsburgh Steelers finished their preseason against the Buffalo Bills in a 28-27 loss on Thursday night.
While many fans are turning their attention to the Steelers’ season opener at home against the Atlanta Falcons, the team has more pressing business to attend to over the next few days.
Pittsburgh has worked with a roster of 90 players in the offseason and training camp. The Steelers must trim that number to 53 players by Sunday's deadline. Indeed, the team made 11 cuts by Friday afternoon.
When asked by reporters if he was ready to host the Falcons on Sept. 13, Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said he was focused on getting the 53-man roster right first. He said he was "anxious" about making those decisions and wouldn't sleep well before a tough Friday.
"I'm anxious about what's in front of me," McCarthy said, via the Steelers. "I probably won't sleep tonight. I know what [Friday] brings. You want to get it right. I think it's very, very important. And I know the Rooney family feels this way.
"I think it's so important, particularly when you're continuing the success that's gone on in Pittsburgh and you're starting a new program, and you want to make sure your process is in order."
McCarthy needs to assemble a 53-man roster that makes the Steelers the most competitive they can be before the regular season. However, he must also handle cutting 37 players with dignity.
"But you've got to make sure we treat people the same way going out as when they come in," McCarthy said. "There's the right thing to do. This is the way we want to do business, but also the reality of us working together.
"I just want to get this thing right. I want to make sure, when the news is delivered, that it's done the right way and that they get their questions answered."
After the roster is trimmed to 53 players, the Steelers can turn their attention to playing the Falcons. Like Pittsburgh, the Falcons have a first-year head coach in Kevin Stefanski. The season opener will be big for both teams.
