McQuaid is the host of the Irish Steelers Podcast.
The NFL may be in its off-season on the field, but in truth, there is never really down time.
The Steelers proved that last week with a successful trip back to the island of Ireland, returning to their roots by launching the Steelers Flag Football Tournament, presented by Aer Lingus and UPMC.
Boys and girls from 24 schools across the island took part in the tournament which stretched from Belfast (close to the ancestral home of the Rooney family), Dublin and Cork, with Steelers legends Will Allen and Vince Williams joining the events.
The events were run in partnership with American Football Ireland, which is the games governing body on the island. For President Alan Lomasney, the camps are a crucial introduction into American Football.
"This is exactly what you want to see," he said.
"We want to see kids at a young age getting into football and getting excited by the game - and seeing how they can start working their way up the pathway and getting an opportunity to play football at a higher level as they get older."
The domestic senior kitted season has already started across Ireland and the "Claddagh League", which is female only flag football across the island starts in just under two weeks. Lomasney is excited by the opportunities that young girls have in the game going forward.
"Some of the girls here today could definitely have a future in our game," he said.
"The girls have been very impressive with their commitment and speed as well. It's just been phenomenal and it has actually been an eye-opener to me".
Steelers Vice President of Business Development & Strategy Dan Rooney was also back in his homeland watching the action and he was impressed with the standard of play across the week.
"We're seeing competitive games that are coming down to the wire and last second touchdowns to win," said Rooney. "The game is growing. The future of flag football in Ireland and across the globe is very bright and we're excited about it."
The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh is a huge moment for the Steelers organization - but also for the Rooney family, with years of preparation for the events at the end of April.
"I think it's going to be iconic," Rooney said.
Former Steelers safety Will Allen was the man in demand in both Belfast and Dublin, with kids asking for advice on flag football and other elements of his career.
From standing at the sideline, it was clear Allen was enjoying giving back.
"To see young girls and young boys try something different and want to exercise their athletic abilities in a different sport, it's just great to be a part of and I appreciate their commitment to want to do it," he said.
Allen wants to come back to Ireland - very quickly.
"You always hear about the culture, the history and just how amazing this country is and just having the opportunity to come here to me is important. I want to come back.
"I want to see more of the countryside, see more of what Ireland has to offer. It's a quick trip, so I definitely have to come back."
Outside of the action on the field, the Steelers made a groundbreaking announcement for their fans across the island, announcing a new partnership with Mahon Hospitality Group that will see the popular Kennedy's Pub and Restaurant in Dublin become the Official Pub of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland.
The first event in the pub will be a Steelers Draft Party, which will take place at Kennedy's on April 25th, 2026. Tickets are available now, but trust me - due to high demand and limited capacity, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
If you can't be in Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft, this is the next best place.
Lastly, the team also hosted a Partnership Summit during the week. The event, which was held in Dublin, allowed brands in the market learn more about the Steelers plans for the coming year on the island.
In all, this has been a very successful trip for the team. With the NFL Draft now taking place in a matter of weeks in Pittsburgh, the focus will turn back to the Emerald Isle when the Steelers Flag Football Tournament Finals take place in late May.
For now, Irish fans can sit back, relax - and evaluate draft prospects!
