Mike McCarthy is pleased with veteran 'buy-in' during the Steelers' voluntary offseason workouts

Steelers veterans often did their own thing during the offseason when Mike Tomlin was their coach. After a few years, there was a comfort level with Tomlin that his trusted veterans would be ready to play when they had to be there for the mandatory portions of the league calendar.

Many Steelers stars such as T.J. Watt trained on their own, appearing once or twice during the voluntary sessions, and then reappeared for the mandatory minicamp.

Since new head coach Mike McCarthy began the voluntary portions of his offseason program earlier this month, he has had almost 100% participation, including most of his star players. Wednesday is the final day of a voluntary three-day minicamp that has been the first opportunities for McCarthy to work with his new players on the field.

"I think we're in a really good spot," McCarthy said Tuesday. "I'm very pleased with participation. It's a player-first teaching environment. We've been able to push a high volume of information to our players. The players have been outstanding.

"By June 12, our goal is to make sure everyone of our players has what they need schematically, the communication, the details of their roles and responsibilities are, and I think we're off to a good start. I've been very impressed and appreciative of the time spent by our players."

June 12 is the final day of McCarthy's offseason program. The players will report back to the team in late July for training camp in Latrobe. For fans planning their vacations this summer, McCarthy let it slip the first padded practice of training camp will be Aug. 3.

The only notable veteran player who has not been involved to this point is quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is not yet under contract. McCarthy gave yet another hint Tuesday that Rodgers will arrive on his own timeline, and McCarthy seems to be completely comfortable with when Rodgers will make his decision.

In the meantime, veteran Mason Rudolph and second-year pro Will Howard are splitting the reps during the voluntary minicamp.

"Aaron is probably more in-tune than you would realize," McCarthy said. "I have confidence with where he would be on the day he would arrive. What I've learned through instituting offseason programs is there are benefits when veterans aren't here. This is a very beneficial time for Will and Mason right now. They split the reps the last two days. That's great work. I'm comfortable with where we are."

Many of the other veterans have been present and taking part in the classroom and on-field work. It's a unique time for players such as Watt and Cam Heyward, longtime Steelers who have only known what it's like to play for one coach during the time in the league.

McCarthy is implementing his program, but he is conscious of the success Steelers veterans had under Tomlin. Changes are inevitable, but he's listening to suggestions on how the team should operate.

"The buy-in has been excellent," he said. "You have to makes changes, there are things you're going to adjust and there are things you're going to emphasize. There are a lot of positives to build off of. There are things you clearly adjust and there are things you change. That will always be my approach.

"I always ask what was done. If it fits, we'll utilize it. I have to believe in it. Fortunately, I've done this for 18 years. I've tried some things that I won't do again, and I have some things that work very well. You put it all together. Those are good challenges to have."

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