Coaching camp is again. This time, it appears greater than somewhat totally different. A brand new head coach, loads of new gamers, and heck, even the adjoining Arnold Palmer Regional Airport has had modifications: no business flights presently fly in or out of Latrobe with Spirit Airways shut down.
What’s the identical is us. We’re again at Steelers coaching camp for the eleventh yr, protecting each follow apart from the closed-off 2020 COVID yr. Photographer Tim Rice and I can be at Saint Vincent Faculty for follow to supply our notes, evaluation, and images from every day.
As at all times, thanks for studying and tell us your ideas and questions under. Let’s dive into the 2026 season and Mike McCarthy period.
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Camp Notes (Day One)
– Welcome to the Mike McCarthy period. And wow, what a distinction it’s. I’ll work on a separate put up for later this week detailing core variations in how McCarthy operates in comparison with Mike Tomlin, however it’s a main shift. To summarize, lots sooner tempo, extra maximization of reps and time, and a unique really feel from how the final 19 years went.
It could have to alter the format of how I write these reviews, and albeit, my head remains to be spinning. We’ll determine it out as we go and develop an excellent routine.
– Now, some issues have been the identical. The identical location at Saint Vincent with the identical stroll throughout the sector and onto the campus. Meals stands and video games and occasions littered the stroll in with the Professional Store proper behind that Mike McCarthy plugged to reporters throughout his Wednesday press convention.
– A fast well being roundup of the group since I like to notice these early. It’s the primary day of camp and the staff isn’t in pads till Monday. The staff is mostly wholesome. Pittsburgh positioned three on the PUP record yesterday: CB Donte Kent, CB Joey Porter Jr., and DB Jalen Ramsey.
Kent is recovering from his December 2025 torn ACL. He’s carrying a black sleeve on his leg so I assume it was the left knee he damage. Early in follow, he jogged somewhat on the center subject as a coach watched earlier than throwing a towel round his neck and spectating throughout the remainder of the day.
Ramsey didn’t put on a brace and didn’t stroll with a limp as he made his strategy to follow. The actual fact he walked down the steps and the trail, which is somewhat steep, is a optimistic signal for the well being of the knee he injured within the spring. Even when “stairs” are precisely as intimidating because the Cincinnati Bengals’ cross recreation.
Offensive sort out Broderick Jones dressed and from what I might inform, practiced in full. He labored each session of the way in which, together with staff intervals.
Security DeShon Elliott suffered a nasty knee/leg damage final yr, and the staff is being somewhat cautious with him. He dressed and went via a lot of follow, 7 on 7 and particular person work however was held out of the staff intervals. He stood 25-30 yards deep behind the motion as he watched the group work in entrance of him.
All three have been on the sector at the moment. Kent and Porter for principally all of follow whereas Ramsey walked down halfway via (Porter walked down earlier than follow started, carrying a black hoodie, however should have briefly went again up as a result of he walked with Ramsey along with his jersey on).
– There was the usual lengthy line of most likely 100 followers deep on the prime of the hill ready to line the fence by the steps and path the gamers stroll all the way down to the sector. They have been let in at 9:50 AM for the 11:20 AM follow, a brisk stroll from the group attempting to get the entrance spots and prime positions for autographs.
– McCarthy now holds practices within the morning, which create their very own really feel. A little bit cooler, rather less crowded within the bleachers, and an overcast day made issues snug all through the morning that bled into the afternoon.
– One thing new. A constructing has been constructed and is located between the close to and center fields. A number of wood picnic chairs lined it with large soft chairs inside. Uncertain who or what it’s for however the campus has actually acquired loads of upgrades, most notably with the revealing of the indoor follow facility the staff will use in unhealthy climate.
Later within the day, proprietor Artwork Rooney II stood exterior of it speaking to one of many monks who’re acquainted faces on campus.
– Six JUGs machines aligned the again of the top zone of the close to subject, and so they have been put to make use of earlier than and after follow. Particularly afterwards. There have been loads of JUGs machines previously however not clumped collectively like at the moment’s setup.
– Below Tomlin, there had been a play clock proper beneath the bleachers going through out so gamers might – clearly – see it. Now, there’s one behind the left finish zone (from the bleacher viewpoint) with the total scoreboard used for video games with its personal play clock and countdown timer of how lengthy is left in every interval.
For nerds like us desirous to know the setup, it’s the All Sport 5000 Management Console used to regulate the clocks.
– First participant to take the sector this yr? That might be RB Travis Homer, who got here down the steps and path that results in the sector at 10:35 AM for the 11:20 AM follow. He carried his helmet and cleats and didn’t have his white No. 21 jersey on but, however he made a beeline to a JUGS machine and hopped on it for about 10 minutes. For that point, he even took off his sneakers and caught barefoot earlier than ending up and preparing for follow.
A short while later, WR Roman Wilson and TE Darnell Washington jumped on the JUGs machines. Later, a bunch of gamers took their turns and confirmed why having six arrange is wise. Not a lot of a wait. Receivers Germie Bernard, Brandon Smith, Joaquin Davis, Levi Wentz, A.T. Perry, cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr., D’Shawn Jamison, and security Robert Spears-Jennings have been among the many names I jotted down.
– The primary in full uniforms have been LB Payton Wilson, EDGE Jack Sawyer, and OL Steven Jones, who made their method down the steps in jerseys at 10:42 AM. Like he at all times does, Wilson walked over to the far finish of the center subject the place a blocking sled was arrange. Sawyer knelt for a fast prayer on the other finish of the center subject earlier than stretching and getting free. Jones located himself within the left finish zone of the close to subject, stretching out with the assistance of a beige band.
– A wholesome cheer for EDGE T.J. Watt, who got here out of the ability and onto the sector at 10:49 AM. Watt bought free by lifting his legs over two hurdles that have been positioned on the center subject.
– Rookie dues for Okay Laith Marjan. He walked down with Okay Chris Boswell and LS Christian Kuntz however had the duty of carrying the black tools bag with everybody’s stuff in it. No formal subject purpose work at the moment however Boswell booted a pair early in follow whereas Marjan kicked a handful of occasions on the far subject all through follow. Each off a tee, not with a holder.
– As Mike McCarthy indicated within the spring, he desires referees on the sector as typically as doable. A bunch of them, 4 I believe, have been on the market at the moment. Mike Tomlin normally had them in for less than a few week of camp and never typically at the start of it.
– As reporters famous in the course of the spring, gone are the benches Mike Tomlin had arrange for camp. A number of of them would sit between the close to and center subject for gamers to loosen up on earlier than follow and through breaks. There’s no place to take a seat round now. Aaron Rodgers laid on the bottom as he places his cleats on at the moment.
– A number of gamers wore Guardian Caps atop their helmets for follow, together with rookie Gennings Dunker and EDGE Julius Welschof. These with new-age helmets not have to put on them. I’m undecided if guys like Dunker and Welschof are carrying “older” fashions that require the Guardian Cap or if they need an added layer of safety.
– Most gamers wait till after follow to signal autographs, however a pair signed beforehand on the prime of the steps. Rookie S Robert Spears-Jennings and C Zach Frazier have been amongst those that did.
– In the course of the early moments of follow, the facilities, some guards, and quarterbacks stretched in the midst of the sector whereas the remainder of the road labored within the left finish zone. Wasn’t certain why they have been break up up at first, nevertheless it made sense a couple of minutes later. In the course of the staff stretch, the facilities and quarterbacks have been on the opposite aspect of the 50 and bought in further reps underneath heart and in shotgun. Since they have been already loosened up, they might use that point for further work. Listed here are the middle/quarterback pairings for these particular person reps.
Aaron Rodgers/Zach FrazierMason Rudolph/Ryan McCollumWill Howard/Brock HoffmanDrew Allar/Greg Crippen
Additionally, Mason McCormick was a part of that group and snapped to Will Howard just a few occasions, taking a pair reps from Hoffman. That’s attention-grabbing however might be an emergency-type factor. McCormick was working heart earlier than he was drafted and Pittsburgh even had him snap throughout a uncommon non-public exercise/go to.
– We’d have already got a candidate for many random Steelers jersey of camp. Tim Rice identified to me a fan carrying a No. 6 Logan Woodside jersey. The journeyman quarterback spent a pair weeks in camp with the Steelers final yr.
– As was the case within the spring, per reporters who attended, McCarthy doesn’t have positional coaches take the sector till follow formally begins. Till then, gamers are both engaged on their very own or with the Power & Conditioning workers. Receivers/tight ends paired up and threw to one another throughout warmups: Max Hurleman and Robert Tonyan, A.T. Perry and Joaquin Davis, Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard, JJ Galbreath and Riley Nowakowski have been a number of the groupings.
– I first noticed coaches within the left nook of the close to finish zone by the tents that litter the again of it. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham was in that space ready to take the sector.
– The horn to start the stretch line blared at 11:09 AM, which was once more led by the S&C workers. After follow, the coach/particular person with the megaphone referred to as for coaches to get off the sector. Which I’ve by no means heard earlier than at camp. But it surely’s a part of the staff adhering to its schedule to maximise the time coaches can truly coach and be across the gamers. Rather more buttoned up than the relaxed type Mike Tomlin went with.
– Defensive lineman Yahya Black nonetheless going with out gloves. Previous-school look.
– Minor factors however value noting on Day 1. Rookie TE Lake McRee wore a black sleeve on his left leg. Large receiver Cole Burgess had the identical sleeve on his left leg. McRee tore his ACL twice in faculty.
– One space the place Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin align: apparel. McCarthy, like Tomlin did, wore all black at the moment. A black hoodie and lengthy black pants. Tomlin did in order a nod to the warmth of the day his gamers endured, although at the moment’s cooler morning of about 70 levels and clouds is way extra tolerable.
– In the course of the preliminary set up interval that includes simply the offense, right here have been the first-, second-, and third-team offensive traces.
First Workforce
LT: Troy FautanuLG: Mason McCormickC: Zach FrazierRG: Spencer AndersonRT: Dylan Cook dinner
Second Workforce
LT: Broderick JonesLG: Brock HoffmanC: Ryan McCollumRG: Steven JonesRT: Max Iheanachor
Third Workforce
LT: Jack DriscollLG: Lorenzo ThompsonC: Greg CrippenRG: Gennings DunkerRT: Doug Nester
There was a bit of blending and matching the remainder of the day, Hoffman getting some heart work and a few first-team proper guard reps over Anderson. It’s one thing I’ll pay extra consideration to within the coming days.
– As for the talent guys, Jaylen Warren took the primary operating again snap. Rico Dowdle changed him on the subsequent rep. Pittsburgh’s first two reps got here out of 12 personnel with tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington on the sector. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. the receivers. RB Kaleb Johnson filtered in on the third rep.
Below heart for the primary cross of the session, Rodgers accomplished it off play-action to WR Roman Wilson on a nook/7 route. He bought the preliminary third receiver snap over Germie Bernard. Bernard caught Mason Rudolph’s first cross on the identical route. I wouldn’t learn a ton into any of this — that is all principally carried out on “air” — however that’s how issues began.
With the protection engaged on the center subject, the remainder of the offense performs “defense.” Carrying crimson and blue caps on their helmets to sign they’re defenders, Aaron Rodgers roamed as a hook defender as one cross went over his head. He was pointing and calling issues out after, very energetic and engaged.
– What’s notable right here, although not stunning, is watching Mike McCarthy ship within the performs to the quarterbacks via the black walkie talkie he held simply behind the quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers was the starter adopted by Mason Rudolph adopted by Will Howard adopted by Drew Allar.
– Observe featured loads of “two minute” timeouts. A coach with an enormous megaphone (undecided if it was Steve Scarnecchia, Tim Berbenich, or another person – that’s on my guidelines for tomorrow) referred to as out the brand new interval throughout every change. These “timeouts” have been blended in and served as hydration breaks in true World Cup type. Gamers bought a reminder of when there was one minute left within the break earlier than resuming follow.
– Pittsburgh’s true particular person interval was a lot shorter with McCarthy than Tomlin. It lasted about 5 minutes. Quarterbacks ran some routes and threw to one another with WRs coach Adam Henry taking receivers via the chutes two at a time. There was an ancient times with the receivers/quarterbacks working collectively that lasted three minutes.
Quarterbacks threw fade/go-balls to every kind of gamers, not simply wideouts. They tossed them to tight ends, operating backs, even defenders. “Hold the line” was Henry’s message.
On the opposite aspect of the sector, the offensive line went via run-blocking drills. The defensive position/EDGE group labored on the center subject on stack/shed drills in opposition to the blocking sled.
– “Special Teams Field One,” the coach referred to as out to announce the one true particular groups interval the staff went via. Targeted on punting at the moment. Cameron Johnston did all of the kicking. There was no robotic/JUGs machine aiding. Johnston punted effectively and from about his personal 30-yard line, he positioned two boots contained in the opposing 10. One had nice backspin, kicking again and rolling out of bounds at in regards to the 5.
Large receivers Kaden Wetjen, Roman Wilson, and Cole Burgess have been the returners. Burgess bobbled and muffed one as he threw up a good catch signal and raced in to catch a shorter punt. Wasn’t capable of get underneath the ball and it bounced off him.
– Gunners labored in a number of pairs. One group previous midfield labored on angles/tackling method (no going to the bottom, clearly). The opposite gunner pair labored on the line of scrimmage, getting coached on their releases off the road.
Ben Skowronek and Brandin Echols have been one downfield pairing. Listed here are a number of the others who both labored on the LOS or downfield. This record isn’t full however the majority: WR Max Hurleman/CB D’Shawn Jamison, CB Daylen Everette/S Robert Spears-Jennings, and CB Daylen Everette/S Darnell Savage.
I at all times pay particular consideration to the wings and particularly the upback, the quarterback of that unit. Right here was the primary grouping: Payton Wilson at left wing, Riley Nowakowski at proper wing, and Travis Homer because the upback.
On the LOS blocking from left to proper: Jack Sawyer-Nick Herbig-Christian Kuntz-Cole Holcomb-Carson Bruener.
I don’t have full second staff data however noticed Eli Heidenreich as second-team upback. Which is notable for the rook to get that probability. One thing I’ll preserve watching and noting in coming days. Sebastian Castro additionally labored left wing right here.
Particular groups coordinator Danny Crossman labored with the blokes on the line of scrimmage with Christian Kuntz serving to lead and get the group collectively. Assistant Darian Thompson, employed this summer season to interchange Derius Swinton II, labored with the returners and gunners down the sector.
– Throughout a person interval, a complete host of gamers went via ladder and ball-security drills. The operating backs, in fact, with new positional coach Ramon Chinyoung Sr., engaged on punching the ball out. However defenders like linebackers additionally went via this train.
– Line of defense coach Domata Peko appears simply as large as his taking part in days with the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s hands-on and actively bought fingers on defensive linemen all through drills. At all times a fan of seeing that.
– The Steelers aren’t tackling this camp and even when they did, it wouldn’t occur on the primary day in the course of the league’s mandated “ramp-up” interval. They did rep it although. A enjoyable drill.
Two gamers begin throughout from one another going through totally different instructions. They run and bend round two large crimson baggage with the defender circling again and taking an inside/out angle to the touch/sort out him. I like this one lots. Approach to simulate tackling angles and discovering the ball provider late, having to regulate eyes. Can’t take a video however right here’s a photograph.
– Pittsburgh wasted no time breaking within the fields. The close to subject rapidly developed a tough patch of grass across the 50-yard line. Staffers tried to restore it on the fly, which I don’t assume I’ve seen occur earlier than mid-practice. Hopefully the brand new grass at Acrisure holds up higher.
“Group install” the coach yelled out for the subsequent interval, an 8-minute session. Quarterbacks continued throwing to receivers, the offensive line hit the blocking sled in tandem, and Patrick Graham labored with the defensive position. He hung out instructing rookie DL Kevin Jobity Jr.
It seemed like Pittsburgh broke the d-line up into separate teams. Peko took a few of them with Graham and, I believe, defensive assistant Shawn Howe labored with the remaining.
Later in follow, EDGE coach C.J. Ah You labored readily available utilization/pass-rush strikes with the surface linebackers. He was all decked out. Carrying a black hoodie pulled over his head, he wore twin crimson baggage as sleeves on his arms to increase out for the linemen to swipe/chop/rip down. He additionally wore two pairs of grip pads throughout his chest. It was a humorous sight, nevertheless it works.
– Pittsburgh went to a different interval that was principally “concepts.” Seven-on-seven format, no o-line or d-line, however with three offensive gamers out within the sample versus three defenders. Some notes right here.
– Jamel Dean broke up the primary throw on a comeback from Mason Rudolph to Michael Pittman Jr.
– Roman Wilson sat down and navigated zone protection effectively right here.
– Cornerback Brandin Echols with a bodily reroute to knock down WR Joaquin Davis throughout one rep.
– Drew Allar with a nifty pump faux that opened up Pat Freiermuth down the seam. However he adopted that with an tried checkdown to a coated Jaylen Warren (in equity, there wasn’t actually something open on the play) that Cole Holcomb tipped into the air and Payton Wilson intercepted. D’Shawn Jamison and Carson Bruener had breakups proper after, although I don’t have the quarterback listed.
Workforce Interval (7 on 7)
A two-minute drill. 1:14 on the clock, two timeouts, ball about on the offense’s personal 35. Aaron Rodgers at QB.
1. Rodgers throw for Pittman proper aspect is damaged up by Asante Samuel Jr., who did effectively to interrupt and drive downhill.
2. Brisker and Elliott the security pairing right here. Samuel and Dean at exterior cornerback, Echols within the slot. Rodgers quick throw full to Roman Wilson out of bounds.
3. Roman Wilson within the slot with Metcalf and Pittman out broad. Rodgers hits Jaylen Warren out of the backfield, releasing and slicing inward left to proper, making the seize in opposition to Patrick Queen.
4. Wilson sits down in opposition to zone and makes the quick catch earlier than Queen can get there. Cross from Rodgers.
5. Wilson, Pittman, Metcalf the receivers with Freiermuth at tight finish and Warren at operating again. Bernard did quickly filter into this group, changing Pittman.
Rodgers desires Wilson on a shallow cross left to proper, however the throw is behind and incomplete. Suppose Rodgers needed Wilson to take a seat it down as an alternative of operating into the subsequent zone defender. Rodgers had a fast chat with Wilson about it after the rep.
6. Rodgers deep ball down the proper sideline for Metcalf. Nicely-defended by Samuel, who threw his hand as much as knock it away. Nice rep by Samuel.
7. Rodgers on the lookout for Bernard on a nook/7-route proper sideline. The throw is effectively quick and Bernard by no means noticed it. I assume Bernard ran his depth incorrectly right here and was the first purpose for this uncompetitive cross. Offense turns it over on downs right here.
– Mason Rudolph is available in for a similar drill.
1. Kaleb Johnson in at operating again. Rudolph finds Jaheim Bell on a drag route proper to left.
2. Brandon Smith, Max Hurleman, Cole Burgess the receivers with Bell the tight finish. Johnson nonetheless within the backfield. Suppose this cross was full from Rudolph to Brandon Smith in opposition to CB Doneiko Slaughter, who labored slot and out of doors nook at the moment.
3. Daylen Everette the surface left nook with Slaughter within the slot and D’Shawn Jamison on the proper aspect. Darnell Savage and Robert Spears-Jennings at security, Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener at inside linebacker. Beneath completion to Max Hurleman.
4. Rudolph checks all the way down to Johnson leaking out left aspect. Johnson needed to attain again just a bit and initially made an excellent snag however Carson Bruener got here downhill to shut and pop it free. Debate over incompletion versus fumble nevertheless it was dominated incomplete. Johnson’s gotta end that play.
5. Cleaner right here for Johnson, who catches the Rudolph checkdown with out problem.
6. A.T. Perry and Kaden Wetjen the broad receivers with Robert Tonyan at tight finish. Travis Homer in at operating again, Jack Henderson and Robert-Spears Jennings at security. Rudolph finds Wetjen over the center for a brief achieve as Jamison collides with him, pretty softly, however Wetjen finally ends up going to the bottom. About as a lot of a “tackle” as there was all day.
7. Rudolph’s deep ball for Burgess is incomplete and well-defended by rookie Daylen Everette. Burgess gave it an excellent effort however couldn’t make the diving catch within the again proper nook.
Workforce Interval (11 on 11)
First Session
Extra modifications right here. Pittsburgh had twin 11-on-11 intervals taking place directly. The starters on the close to subject, the backups on the center subject. That by no means occurred underneath Mike Tomlin. I solely watched and famous the starters closest to me and with the fast tempo and adjustment, my notes really feel somewhat incomplete on yardage.
1. Derrick Harmon and Cam Heyward the d-tackles. Asante Samuel Jr. at left nook, subbing in for Joey Porter Jr., with Jamel Dean at proper nook and Brandin Echols within the slot. Darnell Savage and Jaquan Brisker at security. Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen at inside linebacker. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith at EDGE.
Rodgers makes use of a tough depend that will get the protection, primarily Payton Wilson, to flinch just a bit. After the snap, Rodgers makes use of his patented fast launch to fireside center proper to an open Pat Freiermuth for a 10-plus yard achieve.
2. Rodgers fast smoke display screen to DK Metcalf in a lowered break up left aspect. Alex Highsmith chases as Metcalf tears off downfield.
3. Already within the “trying to read my notes” portion of camp however imagine Rodgers once more hit Freiermuth over the center right here.
4. Highsmith and Herbig the EDGEs. Completely positioned fade cross from Rodgers to order WR Brandon Smith on a back-shoulder throw Smith spun for and snagged whereas engaged on Dean. Good throw and catch.
5. Sebastian Joseph-Day at left defensive finish, Yahya Black at nostril sort out, and Dean Lowry at proper defensive finish in Pittsburgh’s base 3-4. Mason Rudolph checks in. Throw full left aspect to TE Robert Tonyan for a brief achieve.
6. Rudolph full to Jaheim Bell proper aspect, the throw zipping by the closing cornerback.
7. Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon the d-tackle pairing. Patrick Queen and Cole Holcomb at inside linebacker. Rudolph finds Bell over the center, and he makes a pleasant seize to achieve down and seize the cross that was about knee-high.
8. Darnell Savage and Jack Henderson the security duo. Daryl Porter at LCB, Asante Samuel at RCB, Brandin Echols within the slot. Mason Rudolph, after a half roll to his proper, full to WR Germie Bernard for about 5 yards.
9. Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb the ILB pairing as the within linebackers combine and match. Benton and Heyward the d-tackles. Rodgers again in and fires quick proper to Roman Wilson, sitting down between defenders in zone protection and falling to the bottom on the finish. A sliding/falling snag for a pair yards.
10. Joseph-Day, Benton, Heyward the bottom d-line trio. Herbig and Watt at EDGE, Holcomb and Wilson nonetheless at inside linebacker and Samuel and Dean at exterior nook. Brock Hoffman working left guard on this rep with the primary staff.
Rodgers with the identical half roll proper as Rudolph on play eight. Nothing there earlier than he dumps it quick to DK Metcalf alongside the proper sideline.
11. Henderson and Brisker the security duo. Rodgers underneath some stress however ultimately will get the ball out with Freiermuth making the catch.
12. On this rep, the o-line combo was: Fautanu-McCormick-Hoffman-Anderson-Cook dinner.
Wouldn’t take Hoffman subbing in as slights in opposition to McCormick or Frazier, however only a strategy to get him reps and work with the starters. Kaleb Johnson with the 1’s and within the backfield with Rodgers.
Rodgers appears for Freiermuth down the left seam however the throw clips off his hand. Jack Henderson had good protection to squeeze the window.
Second Session
Two-minute drill once more, however this wasn’t true “play after play.” The coaches would give a unique state of affairs every time so it didn’t circulation like an precise drive.
1. Offensive line of: Fautany-McCormick-Frazier-Anderson-Cook dinner. As a result of that is finish of half/recreation situational stuff, Pittsburgh confirmed off its three OLB package deal. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith at their conventional EDGE spots with Nick Herbig over the ball within the center.
Patrick Queen was the lone inside linebacker. Defensive backs of: Asante Samuel Jr., Jamel Dean, Jack Henderson, Darnell Savage, and Jaquan Brisker.
Rodgers in at quarterback. Shortly fires full to an open DK Metcalf over the center.
2. Rodgers full quick throw left aspect to Rico Dowdle with Queen rapidly there to use the tag out of bounds.
3. Coaches set the clock to 4 seconds left and a “last play” second. Secondary in true forestall protection. Rodgers throws beneath to Pat Freiermuth. From there, it turned a wacky lateral play.
Freiermuth laterals to Metcalf. Who laterals to Roman Wilson. Who laterals to Rico Dowdle, who can’t safe the ball as Brandin Echols lastly shuts the play down.
Second staff is available in.
1. Doneiko Slaughter and Daylen Everette the surface cornerbacks with UDFA rookie Devan Bokyin within the slot. Pittsburgh nonetheless in its 3 EDGE package deal with the backups: Jamin Davis and Julius Welschof at respective left/proper EDGEs and Jack Sawyer over the ball within the center.
Payton Wilson the ILB. Jack Henderson, D’Shawn Jamison, and Sebastian Castro three of the 5 DBs right here. Mason Rudolph full to Robert Tonyan left aspect.
2. Will Howard steps in right here. He does the identical and hits Tonyan left aspect.
3. One other final play second with 4 seconds remaining. Drew Allar checks in to sky a throw straight into the air, a Hail Mary right here as an alternative of a lateral play. D’Shawn Jamison jumps up and almost picks it within the scrum, nevertheless it’s off his fingers and falls incomplete.
Third Session
One other “last play” interval because the staff is working all situational stuff. No true drives. 4 seconds left. Ball on the protection’s 25.
1. Pittsburgh comes out in 01 personnel, zero operating backs, one tight finish, and 4 broad receivers: DK Metcalf, Germie Bernard, Michael Pittman Jr., and Roman Wilson. Pat Freiermuth the tight finish. Empty set.
Rodgers desires Metcalf left aspect however Darnell Savage reads it and breaks it up, almost selecting it off.
2. Rodgers has nothing there initially and feels a little bit of the push. He slides left, steps up, and fires into the top zone. Needs Pat Freiermuth however Patrick Queen is there to interrupt it up.
3. Ball on the 15. Empty set. Darnell Washington in for Freiermuth left slot. Rodgers throws one up for Washington however Queen does effectively once more to get a hand on it to knock the ball backwards. Brandin Echols picks it off.
4. Mason Rudolph subs in. Downfield throw is out of the again of the top zone, TE Robert Tonyan the closest to it within the space.
5. O-line of: Broderick Jones-Brock Hoffman-Ryan McCollum-Steven Jones-Max Iheanachor. Will Howard in at QB. Seems for A.T. Perry on a dig on the purpose line. Perry’s head is round late and the throw was somewhat low (although wasn’t a nasty ball) and the cross hits incomplete.
6. Perry and Smith the receivers out broad with Hurleman and Burgess within the slot. Drew Allar ends the day on a excessive word, hitting Tonyan down the proper seam in opposition to Cole Holcomb. Good throw.
– The ultimate horn sounded at 12:47 PM with the 91-man group gathering for just a few moments earlier than breaking down the huddle. There have been loads of guys working post-practice, too.
– The EDGE group labored on cross rush strikes.
– Doneiko Slaughter and Jaquan Brisker ran gasses on the close to subject. As did Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen on the center subject.
– Pat Freiermuth saved his helmet on to catch a pair passes whereas Max Hurleman ran full routes with Mason Rudolph throwing to him. Drew Allar and Ben Skowronek did somewhat further throwing/catching, too, however Skowronek wasn’t operating full routes.
– JJ Galbreath and Lake McRee tossed the ball round somewhat bit.
– A lot of the offensive linemen hung round and did further work. Troy Fautanu bought in further cross units. A number of further heart reps for Ryan McCollum, first working with Greg Crippen and Zach Frazier after which working with Brock Hoffman within the close to subject left finish zone.
– Tons of gamers lined up for the JUGs machine, too.
Camp Recap (TL;DR)
– There may be, clearly, loads of data right here, and I’m nonetheless attempting to know all of it into one thing coherent. That can take somewhat little bit of time after a decade-plus figuring out the circulation and tempo of a Mike Tomlin follow.
– I don’t essentially have a ton of bombastic Day One headlines. It’s the first day and there’s a protracted methods to go. A few ideas, although.
– In the course of the first set up early in follow, it was clear Pittsburgh was underneath heart lots. With play-action off it. I’m certain totally different days will emphasis totally different groupings and formations, however I believe we’ll see the Steelers underneath heart lots given Mike McCarthy’s West Coast roots.
– When it comes to “standouts” of the day, it’d need to go to CB Asante Samuel Jr. and ILB Patrick Queen with their a number of breakups. Protection actually gained the day with the offense struggling to finish a lot of something behind 5-10 yards.
– Roman Wilson flashed plus moments of sitting down versus zone early in follow. However later within the day, he and Bernard weren’t on the identical web page with Aaron Rodgers. Work in progress there. I’d say Wilson is working over Bernard out of the gate, however that isn’t stunning given Bernard’s rookie standing. Nor does it imply something is ready in stone.
– Don’t have a selected impression of the younger quarterbacks Will Howard and Drew Allar. Not a ton of reps for each at the moment. Allar was somewhat up-and-down with a few good throws and others that made him seem like the developmental challenge he’s. We’ll see how they be taught and begin stacking practices. That’s what is essential.
– Good to see Broderick Jones working in full. Let’s see if he’s doing the identical Monday when the pads come on and get in touch with ramps up. We’re additionally getting a really feel for Mike McCarthy’s choice of rotating linemen early on, doing so with Brock Hoffman all through the day.
– Don’t have the precise stats however felt like Aaron Rodgers focused pat Freiermuth lots at the moment. Hopefully an indication of issues to come back. Rodgers principally pleaded via the media for Freiermuth to get extra taking part in time final yr.
– Didn’t see a lot of Eli Heidenreich or Kaden Wetjen at their offensive positions, operating again or broad receiver, however each have been seen on particular groups.
– Appeared like Sebastian Joseph-Day will play defensive finish, not nostril sort out, however we’ll preserve watching. At inside linebacker, felt like an excellent rotation with Wilson and Holcomb however I would like extra analysis on that finish, too.
– The three defensive backs on PUP plus Elliott being restricted are creating elevated and/or extra probabilities for some others. Darnell Savage specifically at security and D’Shawn Jamison at cornerback.
Additionally, at first blush, it appears like Robert Spears-Jennings is forward of Sebastian Castro. Jack Henderson additionally appeared to get extra reps than Castro at the moment.
Saint Vincent Snapshot
The aforementioned barefoot Travis Homer, the primary participant to hit the sector at the moment.
Tallest Gamers In Steelers Historical past
Highlighting the tallest gamers who’ve ever performed for the franchise.
TE Matt Kranchick, OL Dan Fike, OL Jeff Lucas, OL Randy Rasmussen, OL Glen Howe
We’ll start with the “unverified 6’7” membership. The above 5 are listed at 6’7 however lack official measurements to know their true heights so I’m lumping them collectively to kick us off.
Fike, Howe, and Lucas had simply cups of espresso with the staff. Howe with two, Fike and Lucas three apiece with Lucas seeing motion in the course of the ’87 strike.
Rasmussen shared the identical identify because the longtime Jets’ guard and performed for the Steelers from 1984-1986. He made 31 profession appearances with three begins. Kranchick is the latest identify and solely non-offensive lineman, a reserve tight finish within the mid-2000s. Launched halfway via 2005, he didn’t get to win a Tremendous Bowl with that yr’s squad.
Soundtrack Of Camp
A music I listened to throughout my journey to and from Latrobe.
Actual Love Child (Church Periods) – The Heavy Heavy
Fred Rogers Quote Of The Day
“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”
