Effort is one of the biggest things that a player can control in football on a snap-by-snap basis.
To be a Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive lineman, you better play with high effort, and display that by running to the football.
Former defensive line and assistant head coach John Mitchell, who retired ahead of the 2023 season after nearly 30 years with the team, preached that effort and intensity of running to the football throughout his tenure. He brought an old-school style that brought the best out in his players. He taught them to be technical, to be strong, and anyone who played under Mitchell had to run to the football.