Maybe it feels like just yesterday that the Super Bowl ended and the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason officially began.
Or maybe it feels like forever since you've seen any NFL action.
Well, after months of waiting, the NFL has released the Steelers' 2024 practice schedule:
Back in Session
The NFL has divided the offseason into three phases, with it all kicking off for the Steelers on April 15 when players are able to report for voluntary workouts that are limited to strength and conditioning. It will culminate with the team's mandatory veteran minicamp, which will be held June 11-13. All offseason programs are closed to the public.
The Steelers Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are officially set to begin on May 21 and run through June 6, with a total of 10 voluntary sessions.
The following is the full OTAs schedule:
Tuesday, May 21 – OTA #1
Wednesday, May 22 – OTA #2
Thursday, May 23 – OTA #3
Tuesday, May 28 – OTA #4
Wednesday, May 29 – OTA #5
Thursday, May 30 – OTA #6
Monday, June 3 – OTA #7
Tuesday, June 4 – OTA #8
Wednesday, June 5 – OTA #9
Thursday, June 6 – OTA #10
Steelers Mandatory Minicamp
Tuesday, June 11– Day 1
Wednesday, June 12 – Day 2
Thursday, June 13 – Day 3
-Teresa Varley, Steelers
For more on what each phase of the offseason program entails, here is a comprehensive definition from the NFL:
Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as “perfect play drills,” and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.
Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.
-NFL Communications
With Pittsburgh slated to kick things off a little more than a week before the NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see which players come back to Pittsburgh, and which ones opt to continue training at the destination of their choice.
After the draft, there will be a rookie minicamp, then the full 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers roster will commence preparations for the fall, beginning in May.
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