The coronavirus pandemic is going to prevent teams from holding normal rookie minicamps this offseason. However, similar to other offseason programs, the NFL is informing teams to conduct them virtually. With new rookies coming in, Mike Tomlin — the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers — detailed what Pittsburgh's virtual rookie minicamp will include.

“We're excited about introducing ourselves and introducing the organization to these men this weekend,” said Tomlin, via the team's official website.”

“We wasted very little time lamenting about what we aren't capable of doing in terms of not being able to work in the same space, and we've really focused our energies on maximizing the opportunity that we have, the platforms that we have, and using this opportunity not only to instruct these guys and get to know them in that way – how they learn and how they communicate in a football way – but also introduce some of our football support staff and laying the foundation for a lot of the professional relationships in a lot of areas so they can be the well-rounded guys we need them to be. We think we've had some great opportunities in that area.”

For Tomlin, he's going to be introducing some of the new rookies, most notably Chase Claypool and Alex Highsmith. Both Claypool and Highsmith figure to be immediate contributors in their rookie season with the Steelers.

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Of course, the NFL has prohibited teams from using their facilities due to the coronavirus. Still, that isn't going to stop the Steelers — or other teams — from using their time wisely.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Tomlin realizes that the virtual rookie minicamp can still be useful for the team. At the same time, the virtual rookie minicamp will help the first-year players get comfortable with the organization.