by Bo Marchionte
Pittsburgh – Are the Steelers the best kept secret in the AFC North?
Possibly.
There appears to be a real renewed sense of enjoyment inside the southside facility as the team just wrapped up minicamp.
“It’s a big difference,” said Terrell Edmunds.
“When I first got here, we had like an older team. A lot of guys that were veterans. A lot of guys that have been in the league for five or plus years. Now just to see the transition, where you got guys that are now six or seven years in the league.”
Edmunds is not alone. Walking from locker to locker grabbing a word or to with the players, the word refreshing has come up often when describing the current atmosphere surrounding the team.
“If you look at the receiver room,” said Edmunds. “Diontae (Johnson) is like the veteran but he’s only in his third or fourth year. We still got big Cam (Heyward) and Ty (Aluala) and everyone but other that we got a younger team.
“I know. Now I got guys over here asking me questions. Asking what to do. Asking me for my massage therapist’s name. Now you got to take on that leadership role. You’re seeing how the demographic has changed.”
The change in ages and players faces has brought a very different dynamic to the Steelers that goes beyond just being a little younger than the guy sitting next to you in the locker room.
“I’d definitely say we got a lot of energy,” said Edmunds.
“A lot of guys here are turning into their true identity. They feel like they can just open up and be themselves because no one is that much older than them.
“Guys coming in now. I’m just 25. So, some guys coming in their 23. They come in feel comfortable.”
Minicamp success is a far cry from the reality of an NFL season, but with so many new variables in place for Pittsburgh, it only seems like a bonus that the current situation is unfolding the way it is.
Edmunds resigned with the Steelers on a one-year deal for $2.5 million, earlier this April. Appearing in 64 games since being selected 28th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, he undoubtedly knows the system as well as any defensive player on the roster.
“It helps a lot,” Edmunds explained by signing the single year deal. “Especially when you’re taking about the short-term type of spot. If I would of went somewhere for one year, I would have had to figure out everything. Figure out where to stay and a whole bunch of other stuff rather than just focusing on football.”
Edmunds and company are all on the same page.
A collective group of guys that might possibly be surprisingly fun to watch this year.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt