Steelers have key offseason date unveiled
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to get back to where they belong in 2023, making a run in the playoffs, with sights set on hoisting the Lombardi trophy. That means the work starts now, with the NFL officially releasing the initial dates of teams' offseason programs. It should be noted that these workouts are phase […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to get back to where they belong in 2023, making a run in the playoffs, with sights set on hoisting the Lombardi trophy.
That means the work starts now, with the NFL officially releasing the initial dates of teams' offseason programs.
It should be noted that these workouts are phase one of the offseason, which has special significance in terms of the procedures allowed.
As per Article 21 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each club’s official, voluntary nine-week offseason program is conducted in three phases:
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.
Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement stipulates that clubs may hold one mandatory minicamp for veteran players. This minicamp, noted below, must occur during Phase Three of the offseason program.
Now I know we are just under a month away from the NFL Draft, but the NFL calendar runs year-long despite a season that stretches from September through February.
Before you know it, rookies will be reporting for minicamp, then training camp will be underway with the season quickly on it's heels.
So make sure to mark your calendars now, and stay locked for more news surrounding these dates as we near closer.
