Steelers will ditch live tackling during training camp under Mike McCarthy - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to remove live tackling from training camp under head coach Mike McCarthy, marking a notable shift from Mike Tomlin’s long tenure. The outlet reported that McCarthy told reporters Tuesday that the team “won’t do live tackling” once camp begins, saying practice drills have been evaluated with player-tracking data and that the staff can create stress in other ways without taking players fully to the ground.

According to NBCSports.com, McCarthy framed the decision as part of a broader balance between preparing players for contact and reducing injury risk. He said footwork remains central to tackling, blocking and ball-security work, and indicated the Steelers will still use tackling and team drills, including goal-line situations, but without live tackling. He described managing physical stress as a key responsibility for a head coach overseeing a training program.

The report contrasts McCarthy’s approach with Tomlin’s preference for more physical camp work during his 19 seasons in Pittsburgh. NBCSports.com noted that Tomlin previously defended intense tackling periods, citing their benefits, and last year adjusted the timing of practice to a hotter part of the day to increase conditioning demands.

The change matters because training-camp philosophy can shape both player health and readiness before the NFL season. NBCSports.com framed McCarthy’s approach as one of several differences likely to be scrutinized as Pittsburgh tries to improve its postseason results, including seeking its first playoff win since the 2016 season.