Mr. Rodgers shall be in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for the subsequent three weeks, and that is seismic.
Form of just like the Steelers’ offseason.
Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey shall be among the many 91 Steelers gamers who report back to coaching camp right now at Saint Vincent School in Latrobe. Take into consideration that for a second.
Not too way back, the Steelers largely yawned throughout free company — and made trades that elicited yawns.
However not successful a playoff recreation in nearly a decade places organizational philosophy right into a blender, so right here we’re.
Because the Steelers attempt to go from the NFL’s model of a Modelo industrial –probably the most fascinating group on this planet — to a authentic Tremendous Bowl contender, Alex Kozora will once more be at each open coaching camp follow.
To say he covers them is an understatement. He chronicles every thing. And if a lot as a ballboy drops a cross, Alex sees it. He’ll put you within the stands at Chuck Noll Subject along with his detailed follow reviews. And also you received’t even want sunscreen—only a chilly drink.
We’ll, as at all times, have you ever lined on each different Steelers entrance as nicely. With summer time for Black and Gold followers coming to its unofficial finish, let’s get you prepared for camp with the nuts-and-bolts info and a complete have a look at the Steelers earlier than they take over Latrobe.
For those who go
Steelers’ coaching camp practices are open to the general public and free. A ticket is required to attend follow, and you may click on right here for extra info. All practices at Saint Vincent School begin at 1:55 PM/ET except famous in any other case:
July 24
July 25
July 26
July 27
July 29
July 30
July 31
Aug. 1 – 7 PM/ET at Latrobe Memorial Stadium
Aug. 2
Aug. 3
Aug. 5
Aug. 6
Aug. 7
Aug. 11
Aug. 12
Preseason motion
The Steelers play three preseason video games, a kind of coming throughout coaching camp. All three video games begin at 7 PM/ET and shall be televised regionally by KDKA. They may also be broadcast by Steelers Nation Radio on WDVE 102.5 FM and WBGG 970 AM.
Aug. 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars.
Aug. 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Aug. 21 at Carolina Panthers
Turning up the warmth
Followers come from everywhere in the nation to flock to Latrobe, and they need to be forewarned that it’s been a brutally scorching summer time in western Pennsylvania. Forecasts point out that it’s going to proceed by way of the beginning of camp. And let’s be trustworthy: when was the final time August didn’t really feel like an outside sauna?
Many gamers may also really feel a special sort of warmth. The Steelers have roughly six weeks to pare their roster from 91 gamers to 53. Coaching camp is when it will get actual. Dave Bryan has a breakdown of each participant who will report back to Saint Vincent School in his 90 for 30 collection. They embrace every participant’s outlook heading into camp.
Alex Kozora additionally appears at each participant by way of a associated lens. He handicaps every participant’s possibilities of making the 53-man roster (teaser: T.J. Watt is 100%). In the meantime Josh Carney ranks each projected Steelers starter forward of coaching camp.
Alex, Ross McCorkle, and Matthew Marczi take a crack at predicting the Steelers’ 53-man roster simply forward of them beginning to type that out. Alex has (gasp!) a fullback making the group. Ross has a shocking minimize within the secondary. Matthew’s 53 consists of a few surprises — and an open spot.
Seven Pictures
There shall be no scarcity of storylines. Listed below are a handful of them in a nod to one of many group drills that may be a staple of coaching camp.
All Eyes On A-Rod (And Arthur). Aaron Rodgers could also be a four-time NFL MVP who’s pushing 42 (guess it beats pushing a sled). However he figures to get loads of work in Latrobe. He didn’t take part in group drills throughout minicamp after signing with the Steelers proper earlier than it. He did collect a handful of teammates for throwing periods in Malibu, however he and his receivers want greater than reps in opposition to air.
Rodgers isn’t going to play a lot within the Steelers’ three preseason video games. That makes the coaching camp practices all of the extra crucial — for Rodgers and OC Arthur Smith. The latter had…an OK first season in Pittsburgh. And to some, that could be charitable.
Smith seems to be arrange for extra success this season, however a lot of it hinges on how he and Rodgers work collectively. Their each phrase shall be parsed since Smith and Russell Wilson reportedly had a strained relationship by the top of final season. However Alex Kozora thinks what is nearly actually a one-year union between the two can work.
Watt A Aid. T.J. Watt’s contract extension eliminates the one main distraction that might have loomed over HC Mike Tomlin and the Steelers like one of many storm clouds they’re positive to see in Latrobe. And no much less an insider than J.J. Watt stated little brother is able to go. He higher be, since the Steelers simply made a participant on the improper aspect of 30 the highest-paid non-QB within the NFL.
Like Rodgers, Watt’s over/below snaps performed in preseason video games shall be set at roughly his cleat measurement. What shall be way more telling is what he does throughout camp. It received’t be quite a bit, however the Steelers received’t maintain him in bubble wrap both. For all his greatness, Watt pale down the stretch in 2024. He and the Steelers want to determine why.
It’s uncertain the Steelers will present a lot at coaching camp, however Watt bears watching when he’s practising. He has stated he’s open to shifting across the protection, and the seeds of that can presumably be planted in Latrobe. As Matthew Marczi writes, that’s not the one profit of Watt and the Steelers resolving his contract scenario.
Buying and selling Locations: It began with WR DK Metcalf and ended with DB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith. Two huge offseason trades by GM Omar Khan sandwiched high-profile signings similar to CB Darius Slay and, after all, QB Aaron Rodgers.
How all this works — the Steelers seemingly going for broke, or not less than a January win which means one thing — stays to be seen. Many of the completed veterans who’re new to Pittsburgh have the identical urgency to win because the Steelers.
There are such a lot of questions, but in addition so many potential solutions, ones that might lastly push the Steelers previous simply making the playoffs—or, nicely, welcome to Latrobe, fellas.
New Children On The Block. All eyes shall be on the Steelers’ newest draft picks, beginning with first-rounder Derrick Harmon. Not possible to not root for this man, even if you’re a Ravens fan. The Steelers hope he instantly shores up a run protection that sprung too many leaks final season.
In the long run, Harmon profiles because the Cameron Heyward fixture alongside the Steelers’ line of defense. If he seems to be something near Captain Cam, Harmon shall be nicely definitely worth the choose. RB Kaleb Johnson is the shiny new toy on offense, nicely, not less than among the many rookies. Take a look at Joe Clark’s story after an unique interview with Iowa OC Tim Lester to see why there are such excessive hopes for Johnson.
Additionally, maintain an in depth eye on OLB Jack Sawyer, DL Yahya Black, QB Will Howard, and CB/PR Donte Kent. All have been drafted after the third spherical. All however Howard (barring accidents) have a path to taking part in as rookies ought to they impress, beginning in coaching camp.
Security Dance. Who knew so many eyes can be on a Browns castoff after all the Steelers’ offseason strikes? Juan Thornhill, you’re the subsequent man up at free security. Somebody must be in a Steelers secondary that has a likelihood to be actually good however has to interchange five-time Professional Bowler Minkah Fitzpatrick.
It will actually align with the Steelers’ proactive offseason to signal a free agent similar to Justin Simmons. The larger query, for now, is the place Jalen Ramsey figures into the Steelers changing Fitzpatrick. If he even performs past spot responsibility at security.
The seven-time Professional Bowler is listed as a CB on the Steelers’ roster, however coaching camp is nothing if not the time to experiment. And Ramsey shall be one to look at in Latrobe, given his versatility and the preponderance of depth that the Steelers have at cornerback in comparison with security.
Austin Energy. Calvin Austin III is primed for an even bigger function after catching 36 passes for 548 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2024. Is the speedy however diminutive Austin a WR2? That’s one thing the Steelers desperately must maintain DK Metcalf from seeing double protection, even (or particularly) in his sleep.
Austin shall be pushed by Roman Wilson, a 2024 third-round choose whose rookie season was worn out by accidents. And that legit Metcalf complement may come from some type of tight ends, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith.
There may be extra calculus than simple arithmetic in terms of the Steelers’ discovering that elusive No. 2 receiver. Austin and/or Wilson can shift it to the latter by displaying out in Latrobe — and past.
Welcome Again. Broderick Jones is lastly getting his shot at left deal with, however Josh Carney opines that proper deal with could also be extra crucial to a younger Steelers offensive line taking part in to its potential this season. Troy Fautanu has every thing from pedigree to plaudits. The Steelers’ 2024 first-round choose doesn’t have a lot of a resume past the College of Washington. He performed nicely in his first NFL begin final season however dislocated his kneecap in follow previous to Week 3.
The second of two knee accidents shelved Fautanu for the remainder of the season, however hopes stay excessive for him. He and Roman Wilson basically redshirted final season. And don’t neglect about Cole Holcomb. He was the Steelers’ finest linebacker earlier than struggling a ugly knee damage in November 2023. He might be an X issue at a crowded place.
Extra impactful needs to be the return of P Cameron Johnston. Assuming he’s wholesome — and holds off Corliss Waitman — gum-chomping ST coordinator Danny Smith shall be a cheerful man.
