Steelers OTA Dates, Format & What to expect

With the 2024 NFL Draft and the Pittsburgh Steelers schedule release in the rearview mirror, fans are eager to see their favorite team in action. Unfortunately, they are going to need to wait a bit longer. Though new and returning Steelers players are hitting the practice field, these sessions are not open to the public.

The Steelers are beginning Organized Team Activities (OTAs) that will run through the first week of June. Here's the full Steelers OTA schedule and everything you need to know about these practices in 2024.

Steelers OTAs Schedule:

• Tuesday, May 21 (OTA #1)
• Wednesday, May 22 (OTA #2)
• Thursday, May 23 (OTA #3)
• Tuesday, May 28 (OTA #4)
• Wednesday, May 29 (OTA #5)
• Thursday, May 30 (OTA #6)
• Monday, June 3 (OTA #7)
• Tuesday, June 4 (OTA #8)
• Wednesday, June 5 (OTA #9)
• Thursday, June 6 (OTA #10)

Steelers OTA format

NFL teams are permitted up to 10 days of organized team activities. During these practices, no 'live' contact is permitted. These are not padded practices, and the focus is to prepare players for Steelers training camp with as little injury risk as possible.

During Organized Team Activities, Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff are permitted to run 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 drills, but with no contact.

What to expect from Steelers OTAs

Steelers OTAs are voluntary and take place before mandatory minicamp, so players not every veteran player will show up. Cameron Heyward is seeking a new contract extension and won't be attending OTAs this year as part of his "hold-in."

In the past, T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson missed OTAs as they awaited contract extensions. Heyward's "hold-in" could continue through training camp until both parties get something worked out.

During OTAs, we will be looking to see where players line up in the pecking order. We want to see who will work as the No. 2 receiver opposite George Pickens, what plan the Pittsburgh Steelers have at cornerback outside of Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, and how much involvement the 2024 rookie class has with the starting unit.