Mike Tomlin is excited about the discussion around an incentivized minority hiring process in the NFL.

While speaking on "Coffee with Cal," hosted by John Calipari, Tomlin said he likes the idea of a change to the Rooney Rule that rewards teams for hiring minority candidates.

"We've always taken it from the approach of, punitive if you don't interview minority candidates or things of that nature," the Pittsburgh Steelers coach said. "I just like the different approach in terms of spinning it 180 and talking about maybe incentivizing those that develop the talent and those that hire the talent."

It was reported earlier this month that owners were considering a proposal that would have improved teams' third-round draft picks by 6 or 10 spots if they hired a minority candidate for vacant general manager or head-coaching openings, along with other compensation for hiring minority candidates for roles like quarterbacks coach.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf publicly criticized Ben Roethlisberger's recent trip to a barbershop in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, to get his hair cut and beard trimmed following a workout with his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates.

Many Pennsylvania counties, including Allegheny, are in the "yellow" phase of reopening, which does not include barbershops and hair salons. Those businesses will be permitted to reopen once counties have moved to the "green" phase during the coronavirus pandemic.

"My concern is just a general concern," Wolf said. "Anybody who puts himself or herself into harm's way is something that I think we have to try to avoid. When you go to something like a barbershop and you're not protected, I don't care who you are, the chances of that virus actually wreaking havoc on your life increases.

"I don't personally think any Pennsylvanian ought to take that chance. I certainly don't want to take that chance myself."

James Conner is entering the final year of his contract and hopes he'll be able to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It would be hard, it would be hard to put another helmet on. Just because of everything and what this city means to me," Conner said.

"The city I played my college ball in, the city I had my life saved in, became healthy. The city I got drafted to and I want to be able to say the city I brought a championship to. It would be hard. I'm Pittsburgh through and through. But like I said, I'm big on my faith so I'm always going to end up doing and being where I'm supposed to be through the lord's guidance and direction. We'll see. We'll take it one day at a time; I'm staying in the moment."

The running back was a third round pick in 2017.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are hopeful James Conner will return to "lead dog" status this season.

Pittsburgh dealt with a number of injuries last season. Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Conner all missed chunks of the season.

"We're excited about what the group is going to do largely. Usually when it's going well, it's because you have a lead dog out front, and that guy is the featured runner. . . . James is a featured guy and proven runner when healthy," Mike Tomlin said.

"We're excited about him getting back to health and displaying that in 2020. Benny Snell is a guy that is capable of being a featured runner who plays with a physical style in a similar manner to James. He's capable of being a James-type of guy if James is unavailable."

Conner is entering the final year of his rookie contract.