Usually a mainstay at Senior Bowl practices, Mike Tomlin wasn’t spotted at Wednesday’s practice in Mobile. The Steelers’ contingent was reduced because of COVID-19 protocols, but GM Kevin Colbert was there along with a handful of scouts.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 27, 2021
It’s a whole new world when it comes to the NFL and the draft. It all started last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and it looks like the roadblocks aren’t going away in 2021.
This week is the Senior Bowl, the biggest college football all-star game of the offseason. This is usually the time when all 32 NFL teams descend on Mobile, Alabama, and huge contingents of coaches, scouts and general managers pour over hours of practice as they work on their big boards.
But for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the only major player at Mobile this year is general manager Kevin Colbert. This means due to limitations, head coach Mike Tomlin has to learn about which guys are coming up big in practice just like everyone else.
At this point, we might say something about how this puts the Steelers behind the eight ball in draft prep but the playing field is level with all teams being limited in their opportunities. The 2021 NFL draft is hugely important for a Steelers team on the verge of a massive rebuild after another playoff disappointment.
