LATROBE - The Steelers spent Saturday morning getting in one last helmet-only practice before the pads come on Monday, and the first week of camp ended with Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf once again driving most of the conversation.
That pairing has been the headline act through four practices. Rodgers kept finding Metcalf in team drills, and the two nearly produced one of the day’s biggest highlights when Rodgers uncorked a deep ball that Metcalf nearly hauled in after a diving attempt.
They answered right back with a long catch on a crosser and another connection on a deep out route. If Pittsburgh is going to be more explosive in 2026, that kind of timing has to stick.
Rodgers looked sharp in more ways than one. He hit Roman Wilson on a deep shot over the middle for a gain of about 45 to 50 yards, then finished the offense’s first two-minute drill with a bullet to Pat Freiermuth down the seam for a touchdown.
He has looked comfortable and smooth running the offense, with the kind of arm talent and field vision that still stand out. If that carries into September, it would make for a memorable swan song for the four-time MVP.
The defense still had its moments, and Asante Samuel Jr. kept adding to an impressive start. Through four practices, he has been the best player on either side of the ball, and Saturday was more of the same.
He stayed in position to deny a deep pass from Will Howard to Brandon Smith, then broke up a Rodgers throw to Metcalf during the two-minute drill. With Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey both part of the conversation for different reasons, Samuel is making a strong case that he can handle a bigger role.
Drew Allar also turned in a couple of eye-catching throws. First, he rolled right on a designed play and fired down the sideline to Kaden Wetjen for 30 yards.
Later, in the second two-minute drill, he faced fourth down and dropped in a perfect back-shoulder throw along the left side to A.T. Perry for 40 yards.
That play moved the Steelers inside the five, though the defense kept the offense out of the end zone. Still, the rookie keeps stacking notable reps.
There was also movement in the ongoing search for a top rotational safety. Robert Spears-Jennings opened the day working with the first-team defense next to Jaquan Brisker.
That followed Darnell Savage getting those reps on the first day, with DeShon Elliott working in a more limited role. Spears-Jennings brings more sideline-to-sideline speed than any other safety on the roster, which could help him push for a 53-man roster spot.
The Steelers also recently added former Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins, so the competition is still very much alive.
A few other plays stood out. Will Howard connected with Max Hurleman on a solid throw over the middle, and Jaquan Brisker blew up a jet sweep to Roman Wilson for what would have been a two-yard loss in a game.
T.J. Watt also got in on the fun by dropping into coverage and picking off Rodgers, with Rodgers apparently not seeing No. 90 lurking.
And Lew Nichols worked with the first-team offense, including the entire two-minute drill, which does not look great for Kaleb Johnson as the Steelers sort through the RB3 battle.
In Other News...
Pat Freiermuth Turned An Ugly Steelers Camp Scene Into A Feel-Good Moment
Training camp is supposed to be about handshakes, sharpie signatures and a little summer optimism, but a fan autograph session near the practice field briefly turned ugly when a fight broke out in the crowd. The scene escalated fast enough to draw attention, and it was all caught on a viral video that showed how quickly a routine Steelers moment can spiral when emotions run hot.
Pat Freiermuth helped turn the episode into something a little more human by stepping in and pulling a young child away from the altercation. The melee was broken up soon after, but the tight ends reaction stood out just as much as the disturbance itself, offering a reminder that camp moments are not always about football and sometimes about protecting the people who show up to be close to it. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers May Have Finally Found A Better Way To Use Their D-Line
During the first week of Steelers training camp, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has started to tinker with the front in a way that could make a noticeable difference once the games count. Keeanu Benton has been lining up at right defensive end, Yahya Black has gotten work at nose tackle and veteran Cameron Heyward has even taken snaps inside as well, a clear sign that Pittsburgh is trying to rethink how its defensive line fits together.
It is a departure from how the previous coaching staff had used those players, and it points to an effort to get more out of each body by matching roles to skill sets instead of forcing everyone into familiar spots. For a defense that has long leaned on its line to set the tone, the early camp adjustments are worth watching closely, because the real question is whether this new alignment can hold up once the Steelers start seeing live action. [Read more 🡒]
Drew Allar Is Already Showing Steelers Fans A Different Offense
The first week of training camp has given Steelers fans an early look at Drew Allar, the 2026 draft pick whose style already feels different from the more cautious offenses theyve watched in recent years. He has brought an aggressive edge to the field, willing to push the ball and challenge defenses in a way that suggests a broader, bolder approach than what Pittsburgh has often asked of its quarterbacks.
Allar is not a finished product, and the early returns have included some errant throws and a few decisions that make clear how much development still lies ahead. But the larger takeaway is hard to miss: he is not treating practice like a place to play it safe, and for a fan base eager to see something new on offense, that alone has been worth paying attention to. [Read more 🡒]