Steelers News: Tomlin, Coates, Allen

The Steelers offseason which includes everything from free agency to draft prep and anything in between is in full swing.

Steelers season never truly ends for Steeler Nation so while the offseason starts to heat up we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Mar. 29^th.

Let’s play ball

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stopped by Pirates Spring Training in Bradenton, Florida this week to impart some words of wisdom on the Buccos as they embark on the 2016 season. Teresa Varley explains that both Tomlin and Steelers GM Kevin Colbert made the trip for the final week of spring training, as they’ve done the past few years.

Tomlin addressed the team and explained how the teams of Pittsburgh love to support and root for each other.

"“Like all people in Western Pa. we are sports fans. When our work ends, we get an opportunity to take a step back and watch and support others. They do the same for us. It’s an awesome fraternity and one I am humbled to be a party of.” – Mike Tomlin"

See you at PNC, coach!

Switching to broccoli

Now that Martavis Bryant is on ice for the 2016 season all eyes turn to Sammie Coates to fill the void in the wide receiving corps this season. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler describes how Coates has applied the lessons he’s learned from his rookie season to training for his sophomore season.

Coates remains in Pittsburgh to make use of the training facilities and has switched up his eating habits from his college days. He had to trade in chicken wings for broccoli and is hoping to reward the Steelers for their trust in selecting him in the third round of the draft last year out of Auburn.

What’s up with Cortez?

Now that the Steelers’ and Brandon Boykin’s short relationship is officially over after he signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on Monday what’s the state of the Steelers’ secondary? With the re-signing of William Gay earlier this offseason Steelers fans should have seen it coming that Boykin wasn’t coming back since they both primarily play the nickel.

Next: Brandon Boykin signs with Panthers

But what about Cortez Allen? The PPG’s Ed Bouchette was asked about what’s the latest with Allen and the Steelers’ request to revise his contract and he painted a grimmer outlook on Allen’s future in Pittsburgh. Bouchette urges fans to pay attention to the words used by coach Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert in regards to Allen.

Neither would confirm that they knew Allen’s health situation which doesn’t necessarily match a scenario in which they were looking to keep him on the team but just at a reduced rate. There’s a better chance that Allen still gets released post-June 1^st than he takes a reduced contract.