Hyperbole comes with the territory in football, and the Steelers are no exception. That was on full display during the first public session of camp, when the chatter quickly turned to the quarterbacks - especially the younger, newer names - even though the work was done without full pads and without tackling. It was the kind of setting that can send fans soaring over a single throw, but the reality is a little more measured than that.
One of the more encouraging developments was Broderick Jones not landing on the PUP list. The expectation had been that he might still be working back from neck surgery, so his presence matters.
Mike McCarthy was candid that Jones may be limited early, but if he ramps up quickly, Pittsburgh could suddenly be sitting on a strong collection of tackles. Troy Fautanu, Dylan Cook and rookie Max Iheanachor join Jones in that group, and Jones worked with the twos at left tackle on Wednesday.
The status of Jalen Ramsey is another storyline worth watching. Chris Mack and Mark Kaboly talked about Ramsey being on the PUP list after practice yesterday, and their read was that he could miss a decent chunk of camp and maybe preseason games too. The bright spot from that same discussion: Asante Samuel, Jr. had a strong first day, and the hope is that carries over.
At quarterback, the distribution of snaps was enough to stir up some frustration, but there’s no reason to overreact yet. Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph took most of the work yesterday, while Drew Allar and Will Howard split third-team reps.
That’s a change from OTAs, but Rudolph looked solid, and he’s not going to simply give the backup job away. If Howard keeps improving, preseason will give him his chances.
Until then, the process is the process.
Joey Porter, Jr.’s situation also drew attention after the Steelers said his back issue flared up, which is why he’s on the PUP list. Gerry Dulac said, “ He did not do himself any favors by coming in with a new coaching staff and not doing anything in the spring.
That did not sit well with them. I don’t know that that’s going to affect the contract that he’s gonna sign.
He’s gonna get a nice piece of money, and he should because they can’t afford not to sign him … I don’t think he’s gonna get $25 million. This idea that he was gonna set the market.
They do not believe that he is a top-five corner and this idea that he’s a shutdown corner. They don’t believe that.”
There’s skepticism there, but the situation still feels like one to monitor rather than one to panic over.
A few other notes stood out from around camp and beyond. The Rams are listed as Super Bowl favorites at +500, with Buffalo next at +1000.
Rookie Gennings Dunker is still mostly working with the third team at guard. Taysom Hill, the Saints’ do-everything backup quarterback, will not play for New Orleans this year according to numerous reports.
And the pace of Achilles recoveries keeps getting more remarkable, with players now returning in eight or nine months instead of missing a full year or seeing their careers end.
On this day in 2000, Daniel M. Rooney was inducted into the @ProFootballHOF. pic.twitter.com/yRSRut5Udl
- Steelers History (@SteelersHistory) July 29, 2026
The Steelers podcast is back tonight at 10pm ET on YouTube, and after a month apart, the crew is getting the band back together.
In Other News...
Steelers Just Sent A Concerning Message About Will Howard
Will Howard arrived with the kind of buzz that can make a rookie quarterback feel like he is already part of the plan, but the Steelers are heading into training camp with a different order than many expected. Mason Rudolph is positioned as the No. 2 quarterback for now, which gives Pittsburgh a more familiar face behind the starter and signals that the team is not simply handing Howard the backup job on potential alone.
Howard still has time to change that conversation once camp and the preseason begin, and that is where this gets interesting for the Steelers. A new coaching staff has every reason to take a long look at all its options, but it also has a veteran in Rudolph who already knows how to handle the role. For Howard, the next few weeks are less about hype and more about proving he can force the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Suddenly Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Problem
Joey Porter Jr. has spent much of the Steelers offseason on the sideline, and the timing has made his situation worth watching in Pittsburgh. The cornerback has not been a major participant in team activities, which matters even more for a defense that wants its young pieces moving in sync before camp fully ramps up.
The contract side only adds another layer. Pittsburgh still plans to get Porter extended before the season, but the cornerback market has been climbing, and Denzel Wards new deal in Cleveland has only pushed the price tag higher for top corners. For the Steelers, that leaves a familiar front-office balancing act: keep a key young defender in the fold without letting a rising market turn a straightforward extension into a costly standoff. [Read more 🡒]
Joey Porter Jr. May Be Pricing Himself Into A Steelers Standoff
Joey Porter Jr. has become one of the Steelers most important contract decisions, and the shape of the market around him is making the conversation harder, not easier. Pittsburgh and its young cornerback still have not bridged the gap on an extension, with the disagreement centered on average annual salary and how Porter should be valued against the leagues top corners.
Recent talks for other premium defensive backs have only sharpened the stakes, because every big number at the position gives Porter another reason to press his case. The Steelers also have to keep an eye on the rest of their extension pipeline, which means this one is not happening in a vacuum and could linger as Pittsburgh tries to balance present value with future cap planning. [Read more 🡒]