Mike Tomlin: New TE Coach Alfredo Bringing Energy, Attention to Detail

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers seismic shift to their “badasses” mantra in the tight end room has been specifically brought on by new tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts. Roberts, who came from the Los Angeles Chargers, was brought in after long time tight ends coach James Daniel retired after the 2020 season.

With a new coach, faces that need to take a new step, and a talented rookie, Roberts’ pedigree will be leaned upon heavily by the Steelers.

”I’ve known Alfredo Roberts a long time, man,” Tomlin said. “He’s the type of football personality that I was talking about. We all want a good, high energy, detailed environment, but we’ve all got responsibilities in terms of creating it. He’s really consistent in terms of the energy and detail that he brings to the work and adds to us, and I knew that, because I’ve known him a long time and I think it’s showing.”

Rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth detailed the exact type of energy that Roberts brings to the table. Even more importantly, Freiermuth notes how much Roberts is focusing on blocking.

“Coach Roberts has been very detailed with our practices,” Freiermuth said. “He’s really honed in on blocking and all the details in that.”

While the Steelers try to really hone in on what they can do on the field with their diverse tight end group, Roberts is at the forefront of the revolution to make the tight ends in the Steelers offense a focal point. It’s a group that he thinks can be “dynamic” and take a rather large leap from 2020.

“Can these tight ends, with this quarterback, be dynamic? My answer would be yes,” Roberts said. “It reminds me a lot of Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen when I was fortunate to be in Indianapolis for a few years. They have very similar skillsets.”

Roberts’ experience elsewhere will certainly influence how he views the progress the Steelers tight ends show from now until the start of the regular season. And that experience is just why Tomlin is excited to welcome Roberts aboard.