Even with high-profile pickups like QB Aaron Rodgers, WR DK Metcalf, and rookie RB Kaleb Johnson, the Pittsburgh Steelers stay outlined by protection. That a lot is true by means of the primary 5 practices of coaching camp. The offense has had its moments, and may have extra the remainder of the summer season, however the protection has received practically each single day and positively leads in combination.
Towards the run? The protection has swarmed. Yesterday is a superb instance. Inside linebacker Mark Robinson was across the ball a lot Arthur Smith may as properly been relaying the performs to him as an alternative of quarterbacks. Robinson’s physicality, his calling card since drafted, shined . A former school working again, he did the hitting on the place as an alternative. New RB Lew Nichols was toppled down on one run, RB Trey Sermon having his display blown up on one other, RB Evan Hull hammered for a loss in backs on ‘backers and one play in 11 on 11.
Throughout the dwell tackling run interval, no offensive play gained greater than 5-yards. Working backs had little room and needed to make their very own means, incomes the scant few yards that had been out there.
Towards the go? The protection has stored every thing in entrance. Huge performs have been laborious to return by. Each vertical throw of 25 or extra yards has been contested and incomplete. Hasn’t mattered if the goal is Metcalf, Roman Wilson, or another person. Pittsburgh’s protection isn’t simply smooth, both. The defensive backs have been tightly squeezing each throw and taking the ball away. Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols have interceptions in group interval whereas Joey Porter Jr. has one in 7 on 7. Cory Trice Jr., Juan Thornhill, DeShon Elliott, Porter, and others have a number of go breakups.
In Wednesday’s apply, the few go performs of the dwell interval had been unsuccessful. A play-action miss by Rodgers booting left, Mason Rudolph consuming a ball when nothing was there. Cornerback is as deep as Pittsburgh’s had in years.
As tacklers? Constantly wrapping up. Joey Porter Jr. seemed extra like his dad yesterday, sticking backs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson for losses or no-gainers.
To place some coaching camp stats – soiled phrase as that may be – to it, Steelers’ quarterbacks accomplished 64-percent of their passes all through all of coaching camp final yr. By the group’s 5 2025 practices? Quarterbacks are sitting at 60.3-percent. And that’s with a future Corridor of Famer in Aaron Rodgers and with out the wide-eyed rookie like Pittsburgh had with John Rhys Plumlee a yr in the past, who accomplished solely 40-percent of his throws. Will Howard is a rookie however way more gifted and composed.
The rookie defenders have carried out properly. First-rounder Derrick Harmon is displaying why he was the group’s choice, flashing energy, finesse, and general influence. Fifth-rounder Yahya Black has had moments, batting down two passes in a weekend apply and constantly getting his lengthy arms in throwing lanes. EDGE Jack Sawyer flashed the primary 4 days and although his first day in pads felt quieter (although not fully absent, making a aim line cease in Seven Pictures), he’s nonetheless off to a powerful begin.
Watching issues dwell with out the good thing about the All-22, the group has seemingly communicated properly and never been liable to psychological errors or protection busts. That’s even with all of the new faces and elevated versatility, leaning on Jalen Ramsey to play all around the subject whereas transferring T.J. Watt off his unique proper exterior linebacker spot.
Camp will ebb and stream. Summers don’t outline falls. The Steelers discovered that out in 2023, a scorching preseason earlier than getting dog-walked within the season opener and having a troublesome yr. However this protection seems sturdy and stout in any respect three ranges and in each side. If issues go proper, it’ll be the group’s greatest unit because the 2019 and 2020 editions.
