Mike McCarthy’s First Padded Practice Signals a New Direction for the Steelers

On August 3, 2026 the Pittsburgh Steelers held their first padded practice of the 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Head coach Mike McCarthy oversaw a session that omitted live tackling and featured a 7-on-7 drill for skill-position players, while offensive linemen faced pass rushers. It was the first padded practice in two decades without former head coach Mike Tomlin.

Sports Illustrated

Tomlin’s camps (2007-2025) were known for frequent live tackling and the “backs-on-backers” drill that opened padded sessions. McCarthy introduced a “tempered” theme, citing GPS data, individualized conditioning, and a focus on fundamentals rather than ground-to-ground contact.

NBC Sports

McCarthy said eliminating live tackling is meant to keep players healthy, adding that “the only thing that’s different is we don’t want to go to the ground and risk injury, but I think everything else will look the same.” Running back Jaylen Warren called the day “not what we’re used to,” but said he trusts the health-first philosophy.

ESPN

• Practice format: 7-on-7 for skill players; offensive line vs. pass rushers; no live tackling.

ESPN

• No “backs-on-backers” drill was run; McCarthy indicated it may return in a later padded session.

ESPN

Analyst Conor Orr warned the reduced physicality could backfire early in the season, suggesting a “horrific counternarrative” may emerge if tackling suffers, potentially prompting fans to call for Tomlin’s return.

Analyst Predicts Steelers Fans Will Be ‘Begging’ For Mike Tomlin To Return

Media impressions differ, and no definitive metric has been provided to gauge the long-term impact of the “tempered” approach on in-season performance.

NBC Sports

• “We're used to a hundred miles an hour, nonstop, and we're kind of dead tired by the end of practice,” — Anderson

ESPN

• “The only thing that's different is we don't want to go to the ground and risk injury, but I think everything else will look the same,” — Mike McCarthy

ESPN

• “It was really tame, and you could use another word that rhymes with tame in regards to a physical practice” — Gerry Dulac

‘Rhymes With Tame’: Beat Writer Underwhelmed By Physicality Of Steelers’ First Padded Practice

McCarthy indicated the “backs-on-backers” drill may reappear in a future padded session. Upcoming practices will emphasize situational football, including two-minute offense and third-down scenarios, while the team continues data-driven conditioning and health monitoring ahead of the regular season.

ESPN