The Steelers left the trade deadline without a splash, and Mike McCarthy doesn’t sound bothered by it.
Pittsburgh stood pat, even though a move at wide receiver looked like the most obvious place to strike. Instead, McCarthy said he’s comfortable with the group he has and pointed to the players already working their way back.
“I feel great about our guys. I mean, we’re getting guys healthy.
Michael [Pittman Jr.] is getting close, obviously, Roman [Wilson] and Max [Hurleman]. So, we’ve got good young guys.
Both the Brandons [Smith and Johnson]. So, we’ve got a group that I’m excited to continue to work with,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy also made it clear that his role in roster moves is not the same as the one Omar Khan handles. He said his attention stays on the players already in the building, while the front office manages the acquisition side of things.
“I think my individual focus is always on our current roster. I spoke on this, was it yesterday?
When was the last time we talked? I think it’s important, as I’ve learned over the years, to keep the energy there.
I mean, I understand what goes on. I mean, that’s what Omar [Khan] and our personnel staff is always working on, player acquisition and grading of players and that whole process.So, as far as what all went down, that’s probably better-served for questions for others.
I’m focused on our guys,” McCarthy said.
That doesn’t mean Pittsburgh is done tinkering altogether. A year ago, the Steelers made smaller post-deadline additions, bringing in Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at receiver and Asante Samuel Jr. at cornerback.
Those kinds of moves could still be on the table this year, too. But if Pittsburgh adds anything else, it figures to be on the margins rather than the kind of move that would have changed the shape of the deadline.
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