On a day when injuries shaped much of the picture at Steelers training camp, the defense still managed to set the tone. At Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pittsburgh’s offense spent most of the afternoon chasing in both 1-on-1 and 11-on-11 work, and the gap showed up all over the field.
The most watched quarterback in that mix was Will Howard, and the results were mixed in a way that left more questions than answers. He wasn’t wildly off target and he wasn’t inefficient in the drills, but he also didn’t look comfortable. The ball didn’t come out with much zip, and his throws beyond five yards weren’t placed as cleanly as the Steelers would have wanted.
Howard still appears to have more upside than Mason Rudolph as Pittsburgh’s backup, and he has two more years left on his rookie deal after this season. Even so, the closer look was not especially encouraging. His mechanics weren’t the problem so much as the way the ball came off his hand, which didn’t quite match what his position group was showing around him.
The preseason will be the real proving ground. That’s when Howard will finally get his first chance in the NFL to work against an opposing defense in game action.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line had a rough day in front of him and everyone else. The defensive front won repeatedly, whether it was T.J.
Watt turning the corner and getting past Dylan Cook, Derrick Harmon overpowering his man, or Kevin Jobity Jr. using a swim move to beat Gennings Dunker. Pass protection never really settled in, and all four Steelers quarterbacks were dealing with pressure throughout team periods.
Broderick Jones was one of the linemen who stood out for the wrong reasons, and that naturally raises questions as he works back from a significant neck injury. Max Iheanachor missing most of practice may have contributed to the trouble up front, but it was still a concerning outing for the offense and a strong one for the defensive line.
There wasn’t much mystery left at receiver. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, Germie Bernard, Ben Skowronek and Kaden Wetjen look like the group that is all but locked in, leaving very little room for anyone else to crash the 53-man roster picture.
Still, a pair of receivers made noise. Max Hurleman flashed in individual work with the kind of quick, fluid movement that has made him a camp and preseason favorite before. He also forced a turnover when he stripped Roman Wilson at the end of a kick return.
Brandon Smith added to his strong camp as well. At 6-foot-2, he brings size, but he also moves better than you might expect for that frame. He caught everything thrown his way and kept building on the momentum he’s already put together.
Neither Hurleman nor Smith has an easy path to the roster, and that hasn’t changed. But both have earned second-team reps, and both have at least made camp a little more interesting than it looked like it would be at the start.
In Other News...
Steelers May Be Flirting With An Aaron Rodgers Risk Fans Hate
Aaron Rodgers place with the Steelers already brings its own spotlight, and the early chatter around his workload is adding another layer to watch. With a veteran quarterback of his stature, every snap is weighed a little differently, especially in the preseason, where the upside of getting him more comfortable with a new team has to be balanced against what Pittsburgh stands to lose if anything goes wrong.
McCarthy has reportedly been nudging Rodgers toward preseason appearances against the Jets and Packers, a suggestion that speaks to the value of live reps and chemistry-building. But for Steelers fans, the uneasy part is obvious: a quarterback with Rodgers resume does not need much proving, and there is real concern about exposing him to unnecessary hits before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Rodgers Is Giving Steelers Fans A Dangerous Reminder
Aaron Rodgers kept turning heads on the seventh day of training camp, looking sharp with accurate throws and a noticeable edge to his confidence as the Steelers worked through another summer practice. On a day when Jack Sawyer flashed as a run defender and Derrick Harmon added help up front, Rodgers was the most familiar kind of reminder for Pittsburgh: when he is on, the offense can look organized, decisive and a step ahead of the defense.
For a fan base still trying to sort out what this group really is, that matters because Rodgers has a way of changing the mood of a practice just by stacking clean reps. It also sharpened the contrast around him, with Drew Allar struggling with his accuracy and timing and Jaquan Brisker letting multiple interception chances slip away over back-to-back practices, a small but telling stretch that left Rodgers steadiness standing out even more. [Read more 🡒]
Kenny Pickett Just Gave Steelers Fans Another Reason To Move On
Kenny Picketts journey since leaving Pittsburgh has become a reminder of how quickly a quarterbacks career can change. The former Steelers first-round pick has already been on four different teams in the past two years, with only three starts to show for it, and he is now trying to carve out a backup role with the Carolina Panthers. His latest chance came in the Hall of Fame preseason game, where he completed eight of 11 passes and took one sack.
Even in a setting designed to give veterans and hopefuls a fresh start, Pickett did not separate himself from the pack. The performance put him in the middle of a crowded quarterback conversation in Carolina, while rookie Hayes King drew more attention with a much louder outing. For Steelers fans who have long wondered whether moving on was the right call, Picketts latest stop offered another reason to keep looking ahead. [Read more 🡒]