Pittsburgh-Pittsburg Steelers’ 2025 training camp will be held Wednesday through August 13 at St. Vincent College in Latrob, Pennsylvania.
The Steelers arrived at the camp after a very non-Steeler offseason and had a public pursuit of free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, signed with him and signed and reported to the mandatory micro-training camp. The Steelers hope most of the drama is behind them, especially after signing Star Stealers TJ Watt, for three years.
Here is a closer look at what we watched in the camp:
What was the offense like for Aaron Rodgers to host a show?
Rodgers tried to be second in the league last season, while the Steelers were fourth in the run-and-go attempt. Second, who will actually be performing on the show – or Rogers or offensive coordinator Arthur Smith? A year ago, Smith's offense reportedly limited quarterback Russell Wilson's ability to change the game on the scrimmage line, while Rodgers have historically longed to change calls autonomously. Can Smith and Rogers find a compromise to prevent them from touching their heads in the power struggle?
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Three players to watch
CB Jalen Ramsey: Steelers landed Ramsey by sending the safe Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the dolphin. The move thins the safe location while adding a veteran corner to the room that appears to have been with Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. Will Ramsey stay around the corner and bounce between the outside and nickel, or will he play safely?
TE JONNU SMITH: The day the Steelers landed in Ramsey, they made a separate deal with the Dolphins to acquire Smith. The Steelers already have two solid tight ends in Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, but Smith is familiar with OC Smith and has the versatility to handle many different positions in the Steelers offense. Camp will be the first chance to understand how he adapts and whether the role will reduce the chances of FB/Te Connor Heyward.
RB Kaleb Johnson: Run back to the numbers in the third round, playing a big role as a rookie after free agent Najee Harris left. Although Jaylen Warren is a veteran in the room, Johnson is a bigger, more physical guard who can replenish Warren's moisture speed. The two continued to figure out the roles and captures during the camp. I would watch Johnson block out when Mike Tomlin's favorite defender guard.
Key position war
WR2: Calvin Austin III and the Field
After trading George Pickens, the Steelers are back in camp with no No. 2 wide receivers to pair with their top game. However, during the micro camp, wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni said fourth-year receiver Austin was their second place. Austin had a catch efficiency of 15.2 yards last season, with four touchdowns at 36 receptions last season, but that was enough to be DK Metcalf's No. 2 real 2.
Slot Machine Corner: Jalen Ramsey vs. Beanie Bishop?
The Bishop's rookie season had four interceptions and failed recovery, but he was inconsistent at the end of the year. The Steelers can use Ramsey on slot machines, but the team can also take a look at the new Brandin Echols or rookie Donte Kent.
53-man lineup projection
QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph Will Howard
RB (3): Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell
WR (5): DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller
TE(4): Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, Jonnu Smith, Connor Heyward
OL(9): Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Spencer Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Ryan McCollum, Max Scharping
DL(7): Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Logan Lee, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Daniel Ekuale
LB (9): TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, Jack Sawyer, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener
CB (7): Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Beanie Bishop Jr., Cory Trice Jr., James Pierre, Brandin Echols
S(3): Deshon Elliott, Miles Killebrew, Juan Thornhill
Experts (3): K Chris Boswell, P Cameron Johnston, LS Christian Kuntz