LATROBE - The Steelers turned Saturday night at Latrobe Memorial Stadium into one of camp’s signature spectacles, and the 8,499 fans who showed up got plenty for their trouble. The ninth practice of Steelers training camp in 2026 delivered a little bit of everything: a highlight-reel grab, a defensive touchdown, some encouraging work up front and a few injury notes worth watching.
The play everybody will remember belonged to DK Metcalf. Working in team period, Aaron Rodgers held the ball, worked through his reads and finally uncorked a throw down the right sideline.
Metcalf had Asante Samuel Jr. draped on him in tight coverage, and the two battled through the catch point as they went to the ground. Metcalf still managed to haul it in with one hand.
The crowd erupted, and it was easy to call it the best catch of camp so far. Rodgers and Metcalf have looked more in sync, and that connection is starting to show.
Jamel Dean delivered the defensive answer. On Rodgers’ first throw of practice against a defense, he targeted Roman Wilson on an out route in seven-on-seven, but the ball appeared to be a touch behind Wilson.
Dean jumped it, picked it off and raced the other way for what would have been a pick-six. With Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey still on the physically unable to perform list, Dean has been pushed into the top corner role in camp, and this was exactly the kind of play that matters.
Broderick Jones also had one of his better days. After being cleared in time for camp, the offensive tackle is starting to stack together meaningful progress.
In one-on-one blocking work, he buried freshly extended edge rusher Nick Herbig on his back almost immediately on one rep. Jones opened camp as the backup left tackle on the initial depth chart, and he remains one of the more important players to track as he works back from injury and tries to carve out a role.
Drew Allar kept flashing the kind of arm talent that makes people stop and look. He hit Robert Tonyan in stride down the sideline for what would have been a 50-yard touchdown, then followed that with another deep shot to Brandon Smith, who made a diving catch at the goal line.
Allar showed he can push the ball downfield and do it repeatedly in 11-on-11 work. The flip side was there too: his short accuracy was inconsistent, and pressure still rattled him at times.
Still, he’s produced more “wow” throws than any other Steelers quarterback this camp outside maybe Rodgers, even if the routine stuff remains unfinished.
There were other notes from the night, too. Michael Pittman Jr. left practice after being seen with a trainer looking at his left leg, and that’s something to monitor in the coming days.
Jaquan Brisker did not practice, though it is not believed to be injury related and instead was a veteran day off. Robert Tonyan continued to make his case with several quality chunk plays over the middle; he was listed as the third tight end on the Steelers’ initial roster, but his familiarity with Rodgers and the way he’s played this camp make him look like a strong bet to stick.
Troy Fautanu bounced back from a rougher stretch earlier in the week and was dominant in one-on-one blocking drills. And Rico Dowdle showed real burst, ripping through the middle on a run that would have gone for a huge gain even if tackling were live.
In Other News...
Steelers Suddenly Have Real Doubt About Will Howards Backup Push
Will Howard came into Steelers training camp with a real chance to make the backup quarterback job interesting behind Aaron Rodgers, but the early returns have left the picture murkier. The rookie has shown enough to stay in the conversation, yet the separation many expected has not really arrived, and the competition has started to tilt toward a more familiar face as Pittsburgh keeps sorting out the depth chart.
Mason Rudolph has quietly made himself look like the steadier option for QB2, which raises the pressure on Howard as the preseason schedule starts to matter more. His next chance to change the narrative comes against Green Bay, where the Steelers will be watching closely for cleaner work on the throws that have been giving him trouble and for signs that he can force the decision a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Camp Just Raised A Real Question About Their QB Depth
The offense at Saint Vincent College has shown some signs of settling in during recent camp work, which is at least a step in the right direction for a Steelers unit still trying to find more consistency. The line has had its own encouraging moment too, with Anderson continuing to build a case for the starting right guard job and keeping that competition alive as camp moves along.
The bigger concern, though, is what the quarterback room looks like behind the top options. A rookie has had trouble with decision-making and accuracy, and when those issues show up in camp they tend to sharpen the focus on depth and development in a hurry. Pittsburgh has time to sort through it, but these sessions have made it clear the backup picture is worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Just Put Kaleb Johnson Back In A Real Roster Fight
The Steelers first offseason depth chart offered an early glimpse at how the backfield is shaping up, and it put Kaleb Johnson in a spot that should at least keep him in the conversation. After a rough rookie season, Johnson is listed as the third running back, which suggests Pittsburgh is willing to let him compete rather than bury him behind the newer faces in camp. For a player trying to reset his trajectory, thats not nothing.
Training camp and the preseason will decide whether that listing means real trust or just temporary patience. Johnson has work to do, but the fact that hes ahead of some additions gives him a fighting chance to stick on the roster. In a room where every carry can matter, the next few weeks will tell whether Pittsburgh sees enough to keep investing in him. [Read more 🡒]