The Pittsburgh Steelers are adopting a new approach to training camp under head coach Mike McCarthy, emphasizing player preservation by banning tackling during practices. When the team begins its first padded session Monday at Chuck Noll Field, players will be instructed to engage in "thud" drills, where defenders wrap up opponents without bringing them to the ground, marking a significant shift from previous camps.
This policy reflects broader changes in the NFL’s training protocols aimed at reducing injury risks and managing player health. While tackling drills have traditionally been a staple of early preseason preparations, the league’s collective bargaining agreement has long prohibited two-a-day practices, imposed strict practice time limits, and encouraged safety-minded adjustments. McCarthy’s decision places the Steelers alongside other teams such as the Baltimore Ravens, who have implemented similar no-tackle policies in recent years.
The move also represents a departure from the style of former coach Mike Tomlin, whose 19-year tenure was known for an “iron sharpens iron” mentality that embraced physicality within camp. Tomlin’s approach often involved intense, full-contact sessions designed to build toughness. By contrast, McCarthy has branded his philosophy “Tempered Steel,” a nod to maintaining competitive intensity while prioritizing injury prevention.
“This is a risk-assessment decision,” McCarthy explained. The coaching staff plans to focus on refining fundamentals like positioning, strike timing, and technique through tools such as GPS tracking, video analysis, and detailed coaching cues rather than physical tackling drills.
Players acknowledge the adjustment. Inside linebacker Payton Wilson noted that while tackling has traditionally played an important role in preparing for preseason games, the shift to thud drills is understandable in light of modern player safety concerns. Defensive tackle Cam Heyward, the team’s longest-tenured player, reflected on how the former regime’s camps were characterized by near-sparring-level clashes during certain sessions but recognizes the need to safeguard players for the longer season ahead.
McCarthy’s decision is consistent with evolving NFL norms in 2026 and is not solely motivated by the age of Pittsburgh’s defensive leaders, which include Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, and defensive back Jalen Ramsey—all in their 30s. Rather, it reflects a belief that mastering the approach and positioning on defense is the most critical and challenging component of tackling, with finishing the tackle itself becoming a secondary skill that can be drilled safely.
Linebacker Patrick Queen, who spent the early part of his career with Baltimore under a similar no-tackling camp policy, hinted that players may test the limits but emphasized that effective tackling preparation does not require bringing teammates to the ground. He stated, “At the end of the day, you still got a chance to put yourself on somebody, put your hip on somebody. Whatever you do pre-tackle, it’s the same as putting somebody on the ground.”
As training camp progresses, the Steelers aim to balance physical preparedness with injury prevention, adapting traditional practices to fit a modern NFL landscape focused on player longevity and health.