Jul 24, 2025; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesFor the first time in 19 seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers have new leadership on the sidelines, following Mike Tomlins stepping down after last seasons Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans.McCarthy is now in his first training camp with the Steelers, and its the first time the changes in his approach have been noticeable by people outside of the organization. One of the most notable changes has been the absence of live tackling.We wont do live tackling, McCarthysaid, via Pro Football Talk. No, Ive done live tackling in the past. . . . Every drills been evaluated. Theres a GPS component behind everything that we do. You know, theres more stress that we need to apply to our training situations than just going (on) the ground.The footworks the priority. It always will be about the feet and everything that we do whether tackling, blocking, you know, ball security, all those things. So the footwork component about it is important.Sweeping changesChanges have also come to some of Tomlins more physical drills.You have to assess stress in everything you do, McCarthy said. Thats (what) I look at as one of the primary responsibilities of being a head coach, and one of the primary focal points of being in charge of a training regimen for your football team. So tackling is a good way to go. Ive done it.But I feel like, you know, well be able to get it done in other ways of training, particularly in our tackling drills, in the team drills. So, injuries are part of the game, you know? And I think youve clearly got to do the best you can. And its a judgment. You try to reduce risk.The changes under McCarthy have not just been philosophical. He touched on moving his players on the defensive front more than Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin did.Mike McCarthy says its easier to run assignments and schemes to players when they line up in the same spot on the defensive front. McCarthy talked about moving around Clay Matthews and allowing him to find matchups. Theyll do the same with Watt, Herbig, and Highsmith, PennLive.coms Nick Farabaugh reported on Wednesday.Mike McCarthy says its easier to run assignments and schemes to players when they line up in the same spot on the defensive front.McCarthy talked about moving around Clay Matthews and allowing him to find matchups.Theyll do the same with Watt, Herbig, and Highsmith. Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 29, 2026Everyone is doing their best to adjustFor his part, star pass rusher T.J. Watt is doing his best to adjust to his first season as a professional without Tomlin as his head coach.Im just trying to be open-minded, just trying to do anything to aect [the opposing offense] whether its how they are doing protection schemes, how theyre running the ball, Watt said, per Steelers Depot.Wherever I can move around or just knock down inside, be able to allow Herbig to come outside, whatever it takes to win football games, whatever it takes to mess up the oensive scheme, Im willing to do.The new-look Steelers open the season on September 13 hosting the Atlanta Falcons.The post Trying to be open-minded: T.J. Watt doing his best to adjust to Mike McCarthy appeared first on The Comeback: Todays Top Sports Stories & Reactions.