It's been a hectic few months for Morgan Burnett since he signed a three-year contract with the Steelers in March after spending the first eight years of his career with the Green Bay Packers.
He has spent time settling in and finding a place to live in Pittsburgh for his family. He has gotten to know his teammates, learn the defense, and go through every aspect of the team's offseason program, including OTAs and minicamp.
It was busy, but it was a productive time for the veteran safety who is feeling comfortable in his new surroundings.
"I think it's growing, getting used to everything, getting acclimated to being on a new team, getting comfortable with the plays," said Burnett as minicamp concluded. "The arrow is pointed in the right direction, but I am nowhere near where I want to be. I am going to take this time to process the information that I gained from the offseason, train and prepare to get my mind ready for football when we get back."
Picking up the playbook has been a smooth transition for Burnett, coming from Green Bay where defensive coordinator Dom Capers, a former defensive coordinator with the Steelers, ran a similar system.
"I am comfortable with it," said Burnett. "It's a similar scheme to what I was running my eight years in Green Bay. It's familiar. Now it's just learning the terminology, putting it together. And getting used to working with my teammates."
It's those teammates that have made the transition easy too. And not just from one aspect. First, going against offensive weapons like Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and more in practice every day has helped Burnett, and will continue to help him when training camp and the season rolls around.
"You are talking about going against some of the best in the league, the best in the league," said Burnett. "You are going against that every day, every week. You know you are going to be prepared when it comes to game day situations or whatever situations you are in on game day."
Burnett also feels comfortable in the locker room, where younger players are already leaning on him for his veteran leadership.
"It's fun," said Burnett. "You can tell how they compete. They have a tight bond. You enjoy it. When you go out on the field you are competing at a high level. Guys are working hard and holding each other accountable. That is what I respect about this team."
While there will be some much needed down time for Burnett and his teammates over the next few weeks, it won't be a complete shutdown by a longshot as preparing for training camp at Saint Vincent College is first and foremost.
"You need to get outside more, especially at my position get out on the field," said Burnett. "Train with weighted vests so you get used to when you come back with helmets and shoulder pads on. Get outside and keep working on my craft with my defensive back techniques.
"(When you get to camp), now you are playing football. Right now it's conditioning, getting in position, getting your feet under you. When you come back it's really football. It's a contact sport, showing your physicality, being where you need to be. It's game like situations you are going through in training camp. That is when football really starts. I am definitely looking forward to it. It should be fun."
