The Steelers have spent a significant part of their offseason collecting reinforcements for the defense, from the free agent signings of linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott, to the trade for cornerback Donte Jackson, to the drafting of inside linebacker Payton Wilson, to the re-acquiring of cornerback Cam Sutton, who returned to the roster last week.
But defensive coordinator Teryl Austin isn't yet drawing any significant conclusions as to how it all plays out.
"Right now, at this time, obviously, we all feel great," Austin said today on Day Two of Mandatory Veteran Minicamp. "The true test will come once we put the pads on (at training camp). And we know some of those guys have resumes in this league with pads on. But it's really more of the unknown with the young guys, seeing them with pads on, how they adjust and adapt to the NFL life.
"But so far in shorts, running around in underwear, I like how we're doing."
The Steelers participate in Day 1 of the 2024 minicamp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (81) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (82) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Denzel Mims (15) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Denzel Mims (15) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back La'Mical Perine (38) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Rush (21) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jalen Elliott (34) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Logan Lee (74) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The defense practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Jonathan Marshall (91) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (95) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (57) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker coach Aaron Curry and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers equipment intern Kyle Powers practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Keeanu Benton (95) practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tyler Murray (40) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2024 minicamp, Tuesday June 11, 2024. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
One of the ripple effects, potentially, of new faces in new places is an anticipated less-is-more approach to how free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is deployed.
"To get him back to 'Minkah Ball,' as he would say, Minkah's at his best when he's playing back a little bit deeper, seeing things and able to react and see the game because he sees it really fast," Austin maintained. "My job is to try to keep him back there as much as possible, and keep him out of situations where he's blitzing and doing that stuff. Not that he can't, but he's better doing the other things, and that's where the other additions come in. You have guys that are able to handle some of those duties that he kind of picked up last year.
"We're gonna have other guys do those duties and let Minkah get back to where he's really, not good, exceptional."
Circumstances dictated Fitzpatrick spend more time in the box and less in the deep post last season.
It was a contributing factor to Fitzpatrick failing to register an interception for the first time in his six-year NFL career.
He collected 17 of those in 61 games with the Steelers, including an NFL-leading six in 2022, prior to 2023, as season in which Fitzpatrick also played in just 10 of 17 games.
Three of Fitzpatrick's INTs with the Steelers have been returned for touchdowns.
"When Minkah had to play down, it really showed itself more in the 'Okie' stuff, in our base package," Austin explained. "We want to keep him back where he can really perform.
"No matter who's in there, Minkah's gonna get back to being Minkah."
Austin put the onus more on himself than Fitzpatrick for Fitzpatrick failing to register an interception last season.
"We all know what kind of football player he is," Austin insisted. "The biggest thing is, as coaches, our job is to try to get all of our guys in the best positions possible so they can play as well as they can and play up to their abilities.
"Last year I probably failed in that regard because we tried to have him do too much stuff. I think I'm gonna get back to what really makes him special."
