Steelers 2025 Coaching Camp Day One: What To Watch For

Welcome again to Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching camp. After probably the most attention-grabbing offseasons in staff historical past, there’s a lot to speak about this summer time. The 2025 model of the Steelers will maintain their first camp observe at 1:55 PM/EST immediately. We’ll be at St. Vincent Faculty to take all of it in.

In the event you’re new to the location – welcome. We’re thrilled you’re right here. Every night, we’ll publish a post-training camp report with a rundown of the day’s occasions. Our objective is to make you’re feeling such as you’re sitting proper subsequent to us at camp. Dave Bryan and I can even have a podcast recap every night, excluding the Friday Night time Lights observe subsequent month.

However earlier than we speak about what occurred on Day One, let’s preview among the issues I’m expecting because the Steelers get coaching camp – and the season – began.

Quarterback

– In fact, all eyes can be on Aaron Rodgers’ first camp observe with the Steelers. Restricted to simply particular person reps through the staff’s three-day necessary minicamp, immediately ought to mark his first work through the staff interval. Does he get a “normal” variety of reps, 4 with the primary staff throughout every staff interval? Or will Pittsburgh begin him off on a pitch rely?

Everybody can be in a rush to guage him, and to make certain, we’ll be speaking about that, too. However a quarterback who can’t be hit in a observe the place nobody is carrying pads doesn’t make for essentially the most insightful takeaways. Nonetheless, let’s see how he instructions the huddle, makes checks on the line, and if he airs out a deep ball or finds WR DK Metcalf for a giant play to set the tone.

Additionally of be aware is how a lot the offense will get him on the transfer. Arthur Smith’s offense loves altering the launch level. Does that mesh with a 41-year-old Rodgers?

– Mason Rudolph isn’t new to Mike Tomlin, however he’s new to Smith’s offense. Schematically, is he used any in another way than Rodgers? However irrespective of his camp efficiency, he’s poised to open the yr because the No. 2, so simply getting these reps is essential as a result of they’ll be onerous to come back by in-season.

– Will Howard has created loads of hype since being drafted. There’s so much to love. I’m centered on the fundamentals: clear operations, good accuracy on the “gimmie” throws, caring for the ball, and making sensible choices. That doesn’t imply turning into Checkdown Charlie, one thing many backups are inclined to do, and I wish to see him make assured, aggressive throws.

– Skylar Thompson is the forgotten man within the room. He’s began within the common season and even a playoff recreation. This isn’t a wide-eyed rookie. Don’t be shocked if he makes a few performs early on and appears higher than a rookie like Howard in a vacuum. However Thompson’s first objective is getting reps, and if he’s the No. 4, that’ll be powerful to do. The extra Rodgers is proscribed all through the summer time, the higher for Thompson.

Working Again

– Jaylen Warren is established however has a brand new position atop the Steelers’ depth chart. His massive secret’s staying wholesome, that’s apparent, and defending the soccer. He’s been recognized to fumble once in a while and might’t get within the doghouse by placing the ball on the bottom.

– Rookie Kaleb Johnson is a clear slate. In truth, the working recreation is tough to evaluate till the pads come on and the classes are “stay” (full tackling). However we will get a really feel for his burst and fluidity. I wish to see him as a receiver out of the backfield after being restricted at Iowa. Go safety can even be key. That may be repped in padless practices by how he ID’s the frenzy and picks it up, however it really can’t be evaluated till backs on backers Tuesday.

– How is Kenneth Gainwell used? He’s a succesful receiver and route runner who’s snug splitting out huge. Is that mirrored, or does he obtain normal backfield reps with the occasional movement out in empty units? His quicks may permit him to impress on this non-tackling setting.

– Then there’s the remainder. What number of reps does Cordarrelle Patterson get as a man many figured could be lengthy launched by now? Trey Sermon is an intriguing potential sleeper. Evan Hull has third-down potential, and Max Hurleman could be essentially the most attention-grabbing athlete on the roster with a background as a cornerback, working again, huge receiver, and punt returner. He’ll be enjoyable to trace. Don’t overlook about UDFA fullback DJ Thomas-Jones, both. He wasn’t utilized in that position in faculty, enjoying extra like a Y-off or hybrid participant, however is a strong blocker who jogs my memory of ex-Steeler David Johnson in measurement and skillset.

Huge Receiver

– Watching DK Metcalf come down the steps is enjoyable in itself. A freak of nature who will certainly make some freak of nature performs all through camp. He ought to get probabilities to open it up and fly downfield and may have enjoyable matchups in opposition to fellow veteran cornerbacks in Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, and a still-growing Joey Porter Jr. As a receiver, his abilities are apparent sufficient, however I wish to see him get after it within the working recreation. He generally is a tone setter there.

– Roman Wilson had his rookie yr worn out by a number of accidents and is principally ranging from scratch in bodily reps. He impressed within the 4 padless practices he labored in a yr in the past and must look the identical this yr. Higher, even. Gaining Rodgers’ belief is important; he must be assignment-sound each step. Being wholesome wire-to-wire and absorbing reps is essential whereas displaying good play power, route-running, and palms.

– Calvin Austin III enters camp because the No. 2 receiver. His recreation has grown, however can he really be the second wideout on the staff? I outline that as somebody able to making the most of one-on-one alternatives gained by the double-teams the No. 1 (Metcalf) instructions. Austin made lots of his performs from the slot a yr in the past. Now, he has to win extra constantly on the surface in any respect three ranges. Can he present extra YAC within the fast move recreation?

– The remainder of the group is preventing for a roster spot and position. The teaching workers will admire Robert Woods for his all-in effort as a blocker. Ben Skowronek is a robust particular teamer. After being signed forward of Week One final yr, this can be his first camp. Can he present one thing as a receiver? Undrafted free brokers Roc Taylor and Ke’Shawn Williams want massive camps to cement observe squad spots, whereas veteran Scotty Miller has critical wheels and will hit a giant play in some unspecified time in the future in camp. Don’t rely out Lance McCutcheon both, who as soon as made the Los Angeles Rams’ 53-man roster as a camp longshot. He’s proved he is aware of the trail. Perhaps he does it once more.

Tight Finish

– The distribution of reps and targets among the many “massive three” at tight finish – Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington – can be enjoyable to trace. It’ll ebb and stream, and “camp stats” are only one piece of a big puzzle, however will probably be one thing to notice all through the summer time as a doable fall preview. How a lot does Smith transfer round (reply: probably so much). Can Washington get extra concerned within the passing recreation? There have been spring hints of using him in another way than a yr in the past, however that got here earlier than Smith was acquired from Miami. Is there one participant Rodgers leans on most?

– Connor Heyward enters camp on the bubble. Can Arthur Smith discover a higher option to make the most of him than he did a season in the past? Both approach, his predominant path to creating the roster will come on particular groups.

– Tight finish depth isn’t tremendous deep. The opposite title to notice is an intriguing one in UDFA JJ Galbreath. He’s an athletic pass-catcher with good faculty manufacturing; he’s extra practice-squad materials than 53-man roster, however I like his recreation and think about him among the many staff’s greatest undrafted additions.

Offensive Line

– Just like the working backs, the primary few days with out pads make evaluations troublesome. Don’t get the identical depth, don’t get “stay” run durations, don’t get the o-line/d-line 1v1s that assist choose people. That gained’t come till Tuesday.

What I look ahead to early on is laying the groundwork. Who’s aligning the place? The excellent news is the starters know precisely the place they’ll be, a departure from previous seasons when Pittsburgh rotated its offensive tackles. However what is going to the second and third-stringers appear like? I particularly wish to see who’s enjoying the place alongside that third staff, particularly who’s at heart. Will it’s Aiden Williams, Nick Broeker, Spencer Anderson, or another person? Does Dylan Prepare dinner get any work at guard as he did two summers in the past, however not final season?

– Isaac Seumalo will start camp injured. Spencer Anderson figures to interchange him at left guard. However how will that shake up the remainder of the traces? Does Anderson or another person double-dip with reps on a number of traces? Will probably be attention-grabbing to see who advantages most from further snaps.

– Above all, the main target for these guys is on the small print. No false begins, no pre-snap penalties, know your task and position ( you, Broderick Jones). Coaches hate these errors in any scenario, however doubly so in camp. These are essential reps that don’t get made up throughout a time frame the place the staff must work and develop.

Defensive Line

– Cam Heyward will presumably go well with up immediately, however count on loads of half and relaxation days for him all through camp. That creates probabilities for others. Keeanu Benton is the beginning nostril sort out, however with two sacks in two seasons, it’s a giant yr for him. Can he present extra strikes than simply his potent membership/over (that solely goes to his proper)? With out that, it’ll be onerous to maintain blockers guessing and grow to be a constantly efficient rusher.

– In fact, eyes on first spherical choose Derrick Harmon can be key. Just like the offensive line, it’s onerous to guage the d-line and trenches till the pads come on. However he’s athletic and may transfer properly in one of these setting.

The backup defensive position has a variety of choices. Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Dean Lowry, Yahya Black, and Ezezi Otomewo are just some of the names on the checklist. Is Black getting nostril sort out reps or spending extra time at defensive finish? Hopefully, it’s the previous.

– What’s DeMarvin Leal’s position? Is he extra of a defensive lineman or an out of doors linebacker, or will Pittsburgh once more attempt to use him in each positions? He’s in a real make-or-break summer time, and even with a very good efficiency, it could be too late.

– Are there any formational adjustments? Any enjoyable wrinkles, be it “amoeba” (one defensive lineman) appears to be like, or somebody dropping into protection. How about on particular groups? Who’s enjoying on any models past area objective defend/block? Can a few guys get reps on the kick protection staff? Leal and even Loudermilk have previously. Can Lee and Otomewo be part of them? Something that provides worth is a optimistic.

Linebackers

– T.J. Watt will observe, however we’ll see what number of reps he will get immediately and all through camp. There’s not a ton of incentive to have him get beat up in the summertime. Let’s see if Alex Highsmith has been working within the lab to make his inside spin transfer stronger after offensive tackles caught on a season in the past.

Jack Sawyer is the headline new addition right here. His bodily nature lends itself greatest to padded classes after we can consider him setting the sting in opposition to the run, however getting eyes on him and whether or not he’s switching sides can be notable. The Steelers typically begin out enjoying guys on one aspect earlier than switching issues up all through the summer time.

– Jeremiah Moon returns to battle for a job on the staff, however cracking the 53 can be powerful. He must develop as a move rusher to actually take his recreation to a different stage. The opposite instruments are there. Eku Leota spent the complete offseason with the Steelers and can attempt to cling round on the observe squad.

– Inside linebacker is a equally deep place. Patrick Queen is entrenched as a starter, however is feeling strain after a 2024 season that left loads of meat on the bone. Communication must be clear, and he’s on the heart of it. Payton Wilson is considered one of my prime gamers to look at in camp and through the season. He may have a fuller-time position if his run protection/block-shedding steps up. Out of the gate, I’ll be watching to see if the Steelers use a three-man rotation with Wilson, Queen, and Malik Harrison in base or if Wilson and Queen generally is a two-man present.

– The battles exist behind. Cole Holcomb will take part in his first coaching camp since 2023 after his devastating November knee harm two years in the past. He’s cleared to observe, however like CB Cory Trice Jr. a yr in the past, it’s doable the Steelers restrict his reps and ramp him up all through the summer time. That may not be recognized till the pads come on subsequent week. Regardless, it’s a major milestone for him to enter 2025 with a clear slate and not catching shifting trains.

– Mark Robinson and Carson Bruener discover themselves in a “two canine, one bone” scenario with an identical path to make it by particular groups. At present begins a battle that ought to play out all summer time. Don’t sleep on Devin Harper both. He’s athletic and has a little bit of NFL expertise. He has labored with ILBs coach Scott McCurley in Dallas. There’s observe squad materials.

Secondary

– Massive issues to look at right here. Pittsburgh has three top-end, starting-caliber cornerbacks: Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Joey Porter Jr. How do they get used? Yesterday, Mike Tomlin referenced all three being on the sphere as a lot as doable. Let’s see the wrinkles and alignments to answer completely different offensive groupings. Can we see some three-corner/one-safety appears to be like in base? I believe so.

– Cornerback is a deep group value watching previous the starters. Does Brandin Echols play solely outdoors? In that case, who else will get slot reps? Beanie Bishop can be one. I assume Donte Kent can be one other. Younger guys value watching. Massive yr for Cory Trice Jr. Gotta keep wholesome and carve out a job, probably in dime packages like final yr, in a aggressive and stacked room.

– Does anybody on the again finish of the depth chart shine? D’Shawn Jamison, who gained spring buzz, or the long-armed Cameron McCutcheon? Ton of men to take a look at.

– Security is huge open past Juan Thornhill, DeShon Elliott, and particular teamer Miles Killebrew. Usually, Pittsburgh carries 4 or 5 safeties, which leaves spots on the desk. Quindell Johnson is a sleeper title. UDFA Sebastian Castro is profiled as a hair-on-fire particular teamer. And I wish to see if any cornerbacks get security reps or at the least rotate post-snap.

Particular Groups

Not all the time essentially the most thrilling interval of the day, and the Steelers all the time undergo half-speed (besides the COVID yr when issues have been “stay”). However an necessary interval for thus many individuals, and I wish to see who’s working the place. The return traces are all the time notable to get a lay of the land.

With Cordarrelle Patterson’s roster spot in jeopardy, the Steelers may have two new returners in 2024. Kenneth Gainwell is more likely to be one. Who’s the opposite? Let’s see who’s getting work to indicate what they will do. A younger man who makes a splash play in preseason motion can dramatically change their roster odds. That begins by getting reps immediately to be within the combine on gameday.