Steelers 2025 Coaching Camp Diary: Day 4

Forward of a thunderstorm, the Pittsburgh Steelers match of their closing coaching camp observe earlier than the pads come on Tuesday. The gamers are off tomorrow earlier than issues actually ramp up the subsequent time on Chuck Noll Area. Let’s dive into right now’s motion.

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Camp Notes (Day 4)

– Harm roundup with a pair issues to notice. Established order for OG Isaac Seumalo, although he did barely extra jogging right now on the facet. He stays on NFI. Cordarrelle Patterson stays MIA, positively not in uniform and I don’t consider even on the sphere throughout observe. After injuring his calf early in Saturday’s observe, EDGE Jeremiah Moon didn’t observe. Security Quindell Johnson dressed however was extremely restricted right now, working off to the facet in entrance of trainers all observe. Had his helmet and did some half-sprints however didn’t work in particular person durations and clearly, not group periods both.

Per Mike Tomlin, OT Broderick Jones and WR Montana Lemonious-Craig didn’t end observe attributable to soft-tissue accidents he known as “day after day.” Jones barely practiced, getting a rep or two in Seven Photographs earlier than bowing out. He was late to the huddle in Seven Photographs to the purpose the place veteran Calvin Anderson jumped into the huddle in case he was wanted. Ostensibly, that was as a result of Jones was getting labored on earlier than giving observe a go. Nevertheless it wouldn’t be, and his reps have been two or three, if that. Hopefully, he can return after the off day Monday. I didn’t see Lemonious-Craig’s harm however hopefully it’s short-term for a man who can’t miss a lot time.

EDGE DeMarvin Leal didn’t end observe due to the warmth. Late within the day, he got here off the sphere simply because the group was starting to return collectively for a group interval. At first sight, it was unusual to see him depart the sphere, fingers on hips as he walked away from the group. He then jogged up the hill subsequent to the Saint Vincent School signal (to the proper of the blue Porta Potties, for reference) the place he proceeded to throw up. He then walked again to the group facility and I don’t consider returned. Been a very popular and muggy couple of days.

– Essentially the most notable harm was to rookie TE DJ Thomas-Jones. Head coach Gabe Amponsah examined his left foot/ankle for awhile earlier than he went off on the cart. TE Pat Freiermuth dapped him up earlier than leaving to return to motion. Mike Tomlin known as it a doubtlessly vital harm.

– For the second-straight day, offensive lineman Steven Jones was the primary man out, bounding down the steps at 1:30 PM/EST and hyping the gang alongside the fence line. Defensive lineman Jacob Slade, who wears No. 79 like Jones, was proper behind. Inside linebackers Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb weren’t far behind, adopted by T.J. Watt at 1:32.

– Due to morning rain, the group spent the primary a part of observe on the far turf subject throughout warmups and the person interval.

– QB Aaron Rodgers and OG Mason McCormick walked from the center subject to the turf subject collectively. There’s been loads of conversations between these two all through camp, a younger lineman getting to choose the mind of a future Corridor of Famer. Good man.

– Poor Ben Sauls. The rookie will get the solar.

– Specialists once more labored on the sphere closest to followers throughout the person interval. Not a lot occurring right here, some snaps from Christian Kuntz and Tucker Addington to Corliss Waitman and Cameron Johnston. However no kicking for Sauls. Undecided why they wouldn’t. Addington additionally frolicked taking part in catch with one of many ballboys, which I’m positive made that child’s day.

– Throughout a warmup particular groups interval when the quarterbacks threw individually, TE Jonnu Smith joined the group as a receiver. Will Howard and Skylar Thompson aligned vast in the long run zone as the opposite “receivers.”

– Punt-return line stays the identical: WR Calvin Austin III, WR Scotty Miller, WR Robert Woods, WR Max Hurleman, CB Donte Kent, and WR Ke’Shawn Williams.

– Kick-return individuals, engaged on fielding squibs/low-liners that bounce: RB Evan Hull, RB Kaleb Johnson, WR Roman Wilson, CB James Pierre, RB Kenneth Gainwell, RB Trey Sermon, CB Beanie Bishop Jr., RB Jaylen Warren, and CB D’Shawn Jamison.

– Inside linebackers hit the blocking sleds throughout particular person interval, engaged on their punch and rip-through to defeat blocks. In the meantime, the working backs labored on move safety in preparation for Tuesday’s backs-on-‘backers session. Coaches threw medication balls their manner that the backs needed to two-hand punch again.

First Group Interval (11 on 11)

Seven Photographs. Ball on the protection’s 2-yard-line.

1. Offensive line of Broderick Jones-Spencer Anderson-Zach Frazier-Mason McCormick-Troy Fautanu. Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith in at tight finish slot proper, Jaylen Warren at working again. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith at outdoors linebacker. QB Aaron Rodgers finds Smith proper flat for Smith’s first landing of camp.

2. Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen the within linebacker pairing. Extensive receiver DK Metcalf slot left with Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson out vast. First time I keep in mind seeing Metcalf within the slot this camp. Metcalf runs an out/nook route left facet and Rodgers desires him. However security Juan Thornhill contests it effectively and the ball bounces off Metcalf and falls incomplete.

3. Derrick Harmon and Cam Heyward the nickel pairing. Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson in at vast receiver. Troy Fautanu false begins and an sad Arthur Smith pulls him from the drill. Dylan Cook dinner went out too; probably not positive why. Rodgers re-huddles the group. Again on the line of scrimmage, the protection brings warmth and Rodgers counters, shortly flipping the ball over the center to a wide-open Pat Freiermuth for the landing.

4. Mason Rudolph checks in. Offensive line of Dylan Cook dinner-Max Scharping-Ryan McCollum-Doug Nester-Calvin Anderson. Cook dinner double-dipped reps on the day. Brandon Johnson the X receiver. Rudolph fires left facet to an open Max Hurleman on a pace out, however Hurleman drops it, the ball skimming by his arms and chest and incomplete. Missed likelihood.

5. Robert Woods and Brandon Johnson the receivers. Tight finish Connor Heyward goes in movement. Miles Killebrew and Sebastian Castro the protection pairing with Cory Trice Jr. and Brandin Echols at cornerback. Rudolph’s throw again to the left nook is picked by Echols, who peeled off his man beneath to search out the ball and basket catch it. I wasn’t positive at first if he accomplished the catch as a result of Echols did push-ups after the play (which generally occurs when gamers drop footballs) however Tim Rice’s nice images confirmed the decide. Good play.

6. Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig the surface linebackers. Rookie QB Will Howard hits RB Evan Hull open in the proper flat for a fast rating.

7. Offense and protection tied at three for the third-straight day, that means the starters are ushered again in. Poor Will Howard retains shedding that closing rep. Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward the d-tackles. Troy Fautanu in at proper sort out, Dylan Cook dinner in at left sort out. Aaron Rodgers the quarterback, Kaleb Johnson at working again.

Rodgers appears left and comes again proper. Throws to Roman Wilson proper facet by the proper subject objective upright however DeShon Elliott blankets it and makes positive it isn’t accomplished. Protection wins the day, 4-3.

Second Group Session (11 on 11)

1. Ball on the offense’s 20. Offensive line grouping of Dylan Cook dinner-Spencer Anderson-Zach Frazier-Mason McCormick-Troy Fautanu. Derrick Harmon at LDE, Keeanu Benton at NT, and Cam Heyward at RDE. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith the surface linebackers, Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen the within linebackers. Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay the cornerbacks with Jalen Ramsey and DeShon Elliott the safeties. DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin the receivers with Jonnu Smith the Y/tight finish.

Regardless of a low snap from Frazier, Rodgers completes the move over the center for five yards, connecting with Smith.

2. Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward the d-tackle pairing. Swing move from Rodgers to Austin within the left flat as Ramsey blitzes from the sting, leaping however unable to get a hand on the soccer. Acquire of 4-5 yards.

3. Rodgers underneath heart earlier than shifting to empty. Go full to Freiermuth for about 7-yards, Elliott on the tag.

4. Porter and Slay the surface cornerbacks with Ramsey within the slot. Sawyer and Herbig the surface linebackers. Harmon and Loudermilk the defensive tackles. Rodgers with an underhand/shovel move to Gainwell with Ramsey on the tag after a achieve of 1 yard.

5. Steelers in 12 personnel. Cory Trice Jr. and Brandin Echols the cornerbacks, Malik Harrison and Cole Holcomb the within linebackers. Display left from Mason Rudolph to Jaylen Warren, who has area in entrance to beat a Miles Killebrew blitz. Warren cuts it again for a wholesome achieve and I’ll give it 20 yards.

6. Journeys left. Beanie Bishop Jr. within the slot. Rudolph checkdown left flat to Kaleb Johnson however the move clips off Johnson’s fingers and incomplete. Johnson claps his fingers, reacting to his dropped move.

7. Offense in 11 personnel. Eku Leota and Julius Welschof the surface linebackers, Esezi Otomewo and Yahya Black the d-tackles. Trice, Echols, and Bishop within the slot. Rudolph’s throw is batted down by Black on the line of scrimmage.

8. Actually sturdy throw from Rudolph in a decent zone window over the center is full to rookie WR Roc Taylor for a few achieve of 12 yards. Good throw and catch.

9. Otomewo and Logan Lee the d-tackles. O-line of Gareth Warren-Doug Nester-Max Scharping-Aiden Williams-Steven Jones. Will Howard in at quarterback, Trey Sermon in at working again. RPO full to Scotty Miller left facet. Cornerback Donte Kent forces Miller inside with CB Cameron McCutcheon filling the alley. Acquire of about 5 yards.

10. Offense comes out in 12 personnel. D-line responds with its base 3-4, Jacob Slade at LDE, Logan Lee at NT, and Yahya Black at RDE. James Pierre and Cameron McCutcheon the cornerbacks. Nothing accessible for Howard, who throws the ball away. Slade received some strain and appears like he was held, I believe by fellow No. 79 Steven Jones.

11. Offense nonetheless in 12 personnel. Miles Killebrew and Chuck Clark the safeties. Mark Robinson and Carson Bruener the within linebackers. Skylar Thompson in at quarterback. Full to DJ Thomas-Jones over the center for roughly 6 yards. Clark blitzed in free off the sting, the protection’s proper facet.

12. Jacob Slade and Logan Lee the d-tackle pairing. Offense a bit uncertain of its personnel, WR Lance McCutcheon racing on to affix the huddle with Roc Taylor not sure if he’s wanted or not (he wasn’t and returned to the sideline). Ke’Shawn Williams and Max Hurleman (within the slot) the opposite two receivers McCutcheon joined. Donte Kent slot nook.

Thompson full to McCutcheon for 10-15 yards alongside the proper sideline. Kent went offsides right here, blitzing too early and creating the free play and throw by Thompson.

Third Group Interval (11 on 11)

1. Ball on the offense’s 16. T.J. Watt left defensive finish, Alex Highsmith at proper defensive finish. Aaron Rodgers full to RB Kenneth Gainwell on a crosser for 7 yards. Good inside spin by Watt to mud Fautanu earlier than pressuring Rodgers.

2. Derrick Harmon and Cam Heyward the d-tackles. Journeys bunch proper. Jalen Ramsey within the slot. Rodgers fires over the center for DK Metcalf however his throw is excessive and incomplete, Juan Thornhill protecting.

3. Offense in 11 personnel. Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Jalen Ramsey the three corners, Ramsey within the slot. DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill the protection pairing with T.J. Watt at LDE and Alex Highsmith standing up at ROLB. Rodgers drops again, doesn’t have something, and rolls proper. Pumps and pumps however nothing is there, Rodgers faking a stiff-arm (I believe on Porter) earlier than going out of bounds after a couple-yard run. Strolling again, Rodgers playfully mimicked “trucking” Porter as if to say, “You understand I might’ve run you over.” Simply having some enjoyable in the course of the canine days of summer time.

Watt had one other good rep in opposition to Fautanu, successful inside however Fautanu did a greater job mirroring.

4. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer the surface linebackers. Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward at d-tackle. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson the within linebackers. Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward the tight ends. Rodgers drops sidearm full to Warren for a few 7-yard achieve, Nick Herbig on the tag.

5. O-line of Cook dinner-Scharping-McCollum-S. Anderson-C. Anderson. Mason Rudolph in at quarterback, Kaleb Johnson at working again. Anderson pulling because the front-side guard to his proper with Johnson in tow. Nick Herbig got here off to tag him and the primary dust-up of camp came about. McCollum had his helmet taken off in a skirmish with Cole Holcomb whereas Nick Herbig ended up on the backside of all of it. Damaged up shortly and everybody went again to work.

6. My first “undecided!” of my notes. Nearly made it by the primary 4 days. Rudolph throws for Brandon Johnson with Brandin Echols protecting. I can’t inform if I marked this down as full or not. Elsewhere, Calvin Anderson did a pleasant job of dealing with Herbig’s cross chop.

7. Yahya Black and Dean Lowry the d-tackles. Max Scharping in at heart, Doug Nester at left guard. Rudolph talks with Jonnu Smith and will get him on the identical web page after preliminary confusion over task. Bunch proper, Bishop slot nook. Rudolph’s throw proper facet is once more batted down by Yahya Black, who’s amped after his second swat.

8. Scotty Miller the X receiver. Malik Harrison mugs into the A-gap. Rudolph full to Lance McCutcheon left facet for 11 yards. Hearth X-type of stunt between Harrison and Cole Holcomb, Harrison going first and blitzing into the proper A-gap whereas Holcomb went left into the opposite.

9. Skylar Thompson in at quarterback. Lowry and Black at d-tackle. Cameron McCutcheon at LCB with James Pierre and Donte Kent initially within the slot earlier than WR Max Hurleman motions throughout, Pierre following to finish up at proper nook. Trey Sermon on the carry, coming out the center. I’ll give him 4 yards. Kent chased down from behind to become involved.

10. Esezi Otomewo and Daniel Ekuale the defensive tackles. O-line of Gareth Warren-Doug Nester-Nick Broeker-Aiden Williams-Steven Jones. Rookie Ke’Shawn Williams the X receiver. DJ Thomas-Jones at tight finish. Thompson full to Thomas-Jones over the center, Mark Robinson wrapping him up after a 5-6 yard achieve.

11. Roc Taylor and Lance McCutcheon the receivers, JJ Galbreath and DJ Thomas-Jones the tight ends. Eku Leota and Julius Welschof the surface linebackers. Cornerbacks Cameron McCutcheon and James Pierre are on the surface with D’Shawn Jamison within the slot. Miles Killebrew and Chuck Clark at security.

Will Howard hits JJ Galbreath proper facet, Galbreath displaying good fingers to make the snag. Acquire of 9 earlier than being pushed out of bounds.

12. Mark Robinson and Carson Bruener the within ‘backers. D’Shawn Jamison within the slot. Offense aligned 3×1, a “nub” formation with Galbreath bottom and aligned because the Y tight finish. Eku Leota beats Steven Jones and pressures Howard, who chucks the ball away to the proper and out of bounds.

Seven on Seven

Couple of notes right here.

– Miles Killebrew good shut and break up on a Rudolph throw over the center for Galbreath.

– Joey Porter Jr. picked off the primary move of the session, although I needed to transfer off the bleachers due to the pending storm and missed the context of the play.

– Miscommunication between Howard and Kaleb Johnson on one rep. Howard wished a curl, Johnson ran vertically. Porter would’ve had a second decide however closing downhill, he bumped into Johnson. That prevented him from attending to the ball.

– Payton Wilson good tip away in opposition to Jonnu Smith on a throw over the center from Howard.

Fourth Group Session (11 on 11)

1. Ball on the offense’s 24. D-line of Harmon-Ekuale-Loudermilk. Ramsey and Elliott the safeties, Porter and Slay the corners. Dylan Cook dinner in at left sort out, Rodgers underneath heart. Jaylen Warren run left facet. Alex Highsmith sheds Cook dinner to restrict the achieve to three yards.

2. Ramsey now within the slot. Rodgers play-action. Full to Darnell Washington for 10 yards, Payton Wilson on the tag. Robert Woods was the X receiver and went in movement pre-snap right here.

3. Harmon and Loudermilk the d-tackles. Highsmith and Herbig the surface linebackers. Rodgers out of shotgun. Swing move proper facet full to Gainwell, Pat Freiermuth throwing a very good block in area on Jalen Ramsey, who faked a blitz pre-snap earlier than dropping out.

4. Sawyer and Welschof the surface linebackers. D-line of Harmon-Ekuale-Black. Rodgers underneath heart. Warren run left facet, Wilson tagging him after a 3-yard achieve.

5. O-line of Cook dinner-Scharping-McCollum-S. Anderson-C. Anderson. Brandin Echols and Cory Trice the surface cornerbacks. Rudolph boots proper and hits Brandon Johnson for about 15 yards, a very good lo-hi learn wanting beneath earlier than hitting Johnson on the crosser, working again into Rudolph’s imaginative and prescient working left to proper. Good YAC throw.

6. Kenneth Gainwell run left. D-line holds the purpose of assault effectively and there’s no respiratory room. No achieve. Horn sounds early to beat the thunder that began getting loud with lightning that dotted the car parking zone as I walked again to my automobile.

Camp Recap (TL;DR)

– I’ll have preliminary ideas on Aaron Rodgers’ first 4 practices within the AM. Keep tuned for that.

– Would possibly marvel why Dylan Cook dinner and never Calvin Anderson was subsequent man up at left sort out for Broderick Jones right now. However that’s in all probability as a result of Cook dinner entered observe because the day’s backup left sort out. As an alternative of switching again, the Steelers saved strains the identical and simply gave Cook dinner first- and second-team reps. This isn’t a sport so there’s no obligation to get your “greatest/prime” man on the market. And Calvin Anderson wants proper sort out work ought to he be the swing participant.

– A lower-key observe right now with out as many takeaways. Troy Fautanu nonetheless having some bother in opposition to inside rushes, as I famous yesterday.

– EDGE Eku Leota has put up back-to-back good practices, producing strain and successful his 1v1s.

– Defensive backs proceed to be lively with Brandin Echols and Joey Porter Jr. notching picks throughout observe. Porter feels a bit extra aggressive on the ball this yr, which is a part of DBs Coach Gerald Alexander’s said mission. 

– Security Juan Thornhill has additionally been strong in protection with a number of contests/breakups by the primary 4 days.

– Total, 4 pretty quiet days for WR Roman Wilson. Related could be mentioned about fellow receivers Robert Woods and Ben Skowronek.

– Rookie DL Yahya Black stacking good practices and displaying a well-rounded sport. Getting fingers up in throwing lanes reveals headiness and he has the peak, dimension, and arm size to be a nuisance for quarterbacks throwing over the center.

– Excited for the pads to return on Tuesday. Issues will actually ramp up then.

Saint Vincent Snapshot

Aaron Rodgers warming up early in observe.

15 Longest Steelers Touchdowns

Clips of the longest scores in Steelers’ historical past. 

96 yards – Billy Wells (1957)

Sadly, one of many handful of scores on this record I don’t have a clip from. Nevertheless it was a 96-yard first-half kick-return landing in a 29-20 win over the Chicago Cardinals in 1957. Wells, a working again, additionally completed the day with 11 carries. He would end the season because the Steelers’ main rusher with 532 yards. As a member of the Washington Redskins in 1954, he held the NFL’s longest run with an 88-yard scamper…additionally coming versus the Chicago Cardinals.

Jim Gaffigan’s Quote Of The Day

“I keep in mind the primary time I noticed a hammock. I believed, ‘In order that’s what timber are for.’”