Steelers Training Camp Schedule & Questions

[bradshaw2ben]

DAY DATE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
* Thursday July 25 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
* Friday July 26 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
* Saturday July 27 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
* Sunday July 28 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
Tuesday July 30 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Wednesday July 31 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Thursday August 1 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Friday August 2 7 p.m. (Latrobe Memorial Stadium)
Saturday August 3 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
Sunday August 4 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
Tuesday August 6 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Wednesday August 7 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Thursday August 8 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Friday August 9 Preseason Game vs. Houston (7 p.m. KDKA-TV)
Sunday August 11 2:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
Monday August 12 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
Wednesday August 14 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)
* Indicates helmets only
Schedule subject to change

Lots of storylines to follow but, after last year, most of us will be withholding judgement until the games that count.

For me, the big questions are:

Does Russ Wilson have something left and will it fit the Arthur Smith/Tomlin gamble of an offense built around run emphasis that is seemingly from another era?
Could the Steelers pivot to Justin Fields and his running ability as a way to offset the lack of outside WR talent?
Will all the OL new faces and position switchers need time to gel and possibly get off to a slow start?
Could Mason McCormick win a starting spot?
Will any of the Steelers RBs fit the blocking style Smith prefers or will Arthur Smith attempt to revamp his offense to fit what the Steelers were doing?
Will Calvin Austin III start camp as WR2? He had great success as an outside WR before the NFL and Russ comparing him to Tyler Lockett doesn't hurt his cause.
Will the Steelers coaching braintrust allow throws in the middle of the field and, if so, will Russ Wilson overcome his aversion to doing so?
Will Arthur Smith's stated commitment to throwing to the TEs suit Russ Wilson's seeming lack of desire to throw to them?
Will Arthur Smith's stated commitment to throwing to the TEs reveal Pat Freirmuth as a durable target capable of being a star while revealing Darnell Washington's limitations? Or does that question have it backward?

Will Cam Heyward step back up to being a dominant player who can play at that level for an entire season at his age or will the season prove to be his swan song?
How bad is the Steelers' IDL depth and could it be a weakness to an otherwise fairly solid unit?
How bad is the Steelers CB situation at CB2 and slot CB? Can a couple of these candidates step up and not be weak links?
Will the contract status of Patrick Queen as a big FA signing mean he'll be the 3-down LB at more or less the Mack position or will he play more Buck and come off the field in dime in favor of, say, Payton Wilson.
Will Payton Wilson find playing time on defense? Seems like Elandon Roberts played really well last year–will the Steelers walk away from that and go to a Queen-Wilson combo?
Will Cole Holcomb recover enough to make the roster? Is he in the mix for a starting spot?
How will the EDGE backup situation sort out? Can Herbig stand up to being a fill-in starter if needed, instead of a stunt rusher? Can Jonathan Moon, Kyron Johnson, or David Perales step up to be worthy of playing time?

Will the new Kickoff rule change the makeup of the roster backups? On one hand, the team brought vets like Tyler Matakevich in but on the other hand, if the focus is on KO team, perhaps younger, faster, more athletic will be prioritized? It feels like––more than ever––the backup LBs, EDGE, DBs, TEs, & RBs are going to be rostered based on how well they play on KOs.

Will this team–with all the changes and new faces on offense and defense–be good enough out the gate to bank wins vs the apparently easier part of its schedule so that it can have a little more breathing room down the stretch? Can they play well with breathing room instead of needing do or die situations to succeed?
Will this be a team that doesn't wait until the bye or later to make obvious adjustments?
Will this be a team with a real chance to compete for a title or will it reveal the flaws in Mike Tomlin's coaching strategies?

What are your questions?

[Deebo]

What are your questions?

Will the Steelers treat the pre-season like the playoffs (as they did last year), where they seemingly game planned to ensure KP got success/confidence out of the gate?

What will the Warren/Harris snap splits look like?

To your comment about the early schedule and needing to bank wins, I think it's going to be the opposite: they'll slop and slather their way in the first half of the season, then dominate their division in the back half, resulting in them making the playoffs by the skin of their teeth (once again).

[bradshaw2ben]

What are your questions?

Will the Steelers treat the pre-season like the playoffs (as they did last year), where they seemingly game planned to ensure KP got success/confidence out of the gate?

What will the Warren/Harris snap splits look like?

To your comment about the early schedule and needing to bank wins, I think it's going to be the opposite: they'll slop and slather their way in the first half of the season, then dominate their division in the back half, resulting in them making the playoffs by the skin of their teeth (once again).

The problem with that: you can't count on the other teams in the division being more beat up than you down the stretch. That worked for them the past couple of years, but odds favor a reversion to the mean. It could be the Steelers who have more injuries than their division opponents this year. No way to count on that one way or the other... which is why banking early wins is crucial.

[Deebo]

What are your questions?

Will the Steelers treat the pre-season like the playoffs (as they did last year), where they seemingly game planned to ensure KP got success/confidence out of the gate?

What will the Warren/Harris snap splits look like?

To your comment about the early schedule and needing to bank wins, I think it's going to be the opposite: they'll slop and slather their way in the first half of the season, then dominate their division in the back half, resulting in them making the playoffs by the skin of their teeth (once again).

The problem with that: you can't count on the other teams in the division being more beat up than you down the stretch. That worked for them the past couple of years, but odds favor a reversion to the mean. It could be the Steelers who have more injuries than their division opponents this year. No way to count on that one way or the other... which is why banking early wins is crucial.

Oh I'm not saying it's my preference Just a prediction that I hope doesn't come true.
But Tomlin LOVE LOVES to dance on the margins. He gets brownie points and is seen as some genius by keeping most games close

[Orangesteel]

That’s a lot of great questions!

[Orangesteel]

Our WR and TE depth is bad. It is well known on this board that I think Freiermuth is wildly overrated and he is injury prone.

A couple of dings to our “top” offensive weapons and this offense is going to look anemic. And that’s within the baseline of what Artie Smith wants to do generally.

The Russ Redemption Tour could be fun though and I’ll be here for it.

[K_C_]

I still don't think this team is complete.

No doubt in my mind Khan will swing a trade for another WR.

[Steeldrama]

Could Mason McCormick win a starting spot?

Who would he beat out?
Is he competing for the center job??
Could Daniels and his expiring contract be part of a trade for a WR or CB???

[RemoAZ]

Steelers work out 3 WRs Tuesday
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2 ... ining-camp

And a QB Pickett beat out in college so most of you are probably huuuuge fans.

Tarik Black, Slade Bolden, Ben DiNucci and Greg Ward Jr.

[Thrillsseeker]

Any trades to or from our team?

Will Larry O play his best ball? Underperform?

How good/bad is our D line?

Who if any DB’s will step up per se? Looking forward to seeing of Trice, Rush or Bishop get playing time.

Who will be the final O line starters? How long will that take?

Also looking forward to seeing the new kick off rule changes and how our team reaponds/performs.

[bradshaw2ben]

Could Mason McCormick win a starting spot?

Who would he beat out?
Is he competing for the center job??
Could Daniels and his expiring contract be part of a trade for a WR or CB???

I've heard Daniels could be part of a trade. They also have the possibility of playing Fataunu at G with Moore at RT. I don't expect that, but who knows where their heads are at. I think if they took a G that high in the draft and at the expense of a WR/CB/safety, they think he was too good to pass up and not just another guy to fill depth.

[bradshaw2ben]

Steelers work out 3 WRs Tuesday
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2 ... ining-camp

And a QB Pickett beat out in college so most of you are probably huuuuge fans.

Tarik Black, Slade Bolden, Ben DiNucci and Greg Ward Jr.

Greg Ward is a QB conversion who looked really good as a WR that one season with Philly. Now that I think about it., basically all these cats signed to the Steelers roster trying to win a WR spot have had basically one good NFL season:
Greg Ward
Van Jefferson
Quez Watkins
Scotty Miller
Marquez Callaway

Maybe they'll strike gold with one of them or at least copper with a couple.

[chippedhamsandwich]

Now Trent Williams is holding out of 49ers camp, they have some serious money problems and a QB contract in the near future to take into consideration......

The Steelers should call them again, if I am the Niners I keep Aiyuk and trade Deebo to free up money, could be a playmaker for the Steelers and the Niners could keep the better of the two receivers.

Leverage just went the Steelers way a bit more...

[bradshaw2ben]

Now Trent Williams is holding out of 49ers camp, they have some serious money problems and a QB contract in the near future to take into consideration......

The Steelers should call them again, if I am the Niners I keep Aiyuk and trade Deebo to free up money, could be a playmaker for the Steelers and the Niners could keep the better of the two receivers.

Leverage just went the Steelers way a bit more...

Deebo doesn't solve any problems at outside receiver. He's a tremendous slot/flanker/RB type but I don't see him having a consistent impact as an outside guy. For what it would cost, I'd rather give Cal Austin/Roman Wilson/Van Jefferson a shot.

[chippedhamsandwich]

Well then the leverage just went a little more to the Steelers with Aiyuk and the Niners drafted a WR this year.

Maybe they listen a little more to Omar, really wondering if they can come to an agreement.

Trent Williams is a very important player for them, that locker room has to be interesting these days, dudes who got paid, dudes trying to get paid, Brock Purdy's eventual $$$ and now this!

Belichick wouldn't even come and help them out, what a start to their season...

[DP39]

Now Trent Williams is holding out of 49ers camp, they have some serious money problems and a QB contract in the near future to take into consideration......

The Steelers should call them again, if I am the Niners I keep Aiyuk and trade Deebo to free up money, could be a playmaker for the Steelers and the Niners could keep the better of the two receivers.

Leverage just went the Steelers way a bit more...

Deebo doesn't solve any problems at outside receiver. He's a tremendous slot/flanker/RB type but I don't see him having a consistent impact as an outside guy. For what it would cost, I'd rather give Cal Austin/Roman Wilson/Van Jefferson a shot.

With their developing LT hold out situation, maybe you offer a 2nd, Dan Moore, plus ILB Robinson/Holcomb (with Greenlaw out)) for Aiyuk? Worth a shot. I'd do it, but doubt they would.

[bradshaw2ben]

Well then the leverage just went a little more to the Steelers with Aiyuk and the Niners drafted a WR this year.

Maybe they listen a little more to Omar, really wondering if they can come to an agreement.

Trent Williams is a very important player for them, that locker room has to be interesting these days, dudes who got paid, dudes trying to get paid, Brock Purdy's eventual $$$ and now this!

Belichick wouldn't even come and help them out, what a start to their season...

Their drafted WR is on PUP-- inured his hamstring before camp.

[bradshaw2ben]

Now Trent Williams is holding out of 49ers camp, they have some serious money problems and a QB contract in the near future to take into consideration......

The Steelers should call them again, if I am the Niners I keep Aiyuk and trade Deebo to free up money, could be a playmaker for the Steelers and the Niners could keep the better of the two receivers.

Leverage just went the Steelers way a bit more...

Deebo doesn't solve any problems at outside receiver. He's a tremendous slot/flanker/RB type but I don't see him having a consistent impact as an outside guy. For what it would cost, I'd rather give Cal Austin/Roman Wilson/Van Jefferson a shot.

With their developing LT hold out situation, maybe you offer a 2nd, Dan Moore, plus ILB Robinson/Holcomb (with Greenlaw out)) for Aiyuk? Worth a shot. I'd do it, but doubt they would.

They have Chris Hubbard... who's shockingly only 33. They also have guys like Brandon Parker & Sebass Gutierrez who can both play.

But more importantly, Pearsall is on PUP with a hamstring he hurt before reporting to camp.

[langer]

Cordoba Patterson might not make the season.

Holcomb, I think his career is in the rear view mirror. He's lucky to be walking. I think Spillane Jr will get some plays.

Keeanu Roberts will start to take over.

Russ will play journeyman football.

Dom DiNucci will be bagging Italian bread by the start of the season.

The WR from Michigan will be better than expected and remind us of Hines.

Optimistic about all of this, plus getting the Preseason Championship, but then Coach Mike's face spouting inanities appears in my vision like a specter that only appears when thinking about Steeler football.

[Steeldrama]

Yeah Larry O sucks goat balls.
Terrible decision to extend that dude.
If Benton goes down, yinzers are looking at the worst DL in the NFL.

I agree with the poster concerned about the probability of once upon time B2B draft crush Cordarrelle Patterson to make it through the season.
Few weeks back I read a blurb where he declared himself like 30% healthy or some crazy shit.
Now he's out with a hamstring.

GEORGIA UDFA RB Daijun Edwards is going to impress on special teams and make the Steelers roster.
Book it, Dano.

I honestly haven't been this excited for the pre-season in years.

Russ
Fields

Two dogs
One bone.

Jebrick mentioned in a draft thread that one will be signed after the season to be a bridge QB
But which one?

And which College QB are they are bridging for?

Much like the Steelers' preseason, I can't remember EVER being this excited for a college football season.

12 team playoff
Conference realignment
GO DAWGS
ROLL TIDE

[Pabst]

Now Trent Williams is holding out of 49ers camp, they have some serious money problems and a QB contract in the near future to take into consideration......

The Steelers should call them again, if I am the Niners I keep Aiyuk and trade Deebo to free up money, could be a playmaker for the Steelers and the Niners could keep the better of the two receivers.

Leverage just went the Steelers way a bit more...

Just spitballing, but I wonder if Williams is holding out to get more guaranteed $ rather than any sort of raise. He'll be 37 years old and carrying a $34m cap hit next season. San Fran already has $50m in void money on the books for 2026, so I doubt they want to add more there.

Writing on the wall is obvious.

[Thrillsseeker]

I knew yesterday I should have included my thoughts on starters getting “banged up” and held out so the team can look at “backups”.

Guess Russell Wilson has a calf issue, Fields running with 1st teams reps today.

[Orangesteel]

Courtland Sutton’s deal with the Broncos was just upped in his favor so cross him off the list.

[jebrick]

Jebrick mentioned in a draft thread that one will be signed after the season to be a bridge QB
But which one?

And which College QB are they are bridging for?

Lets say that one performs at enough of a level that is not too expensive and enough to warrant a 2-3 year contract.

This assumption is based on the logic that B2B put forth(quoted below). There is a chance that Wilson or Fields shows to be a franchise QB. THere is a greater chance that one or both will be meh and lead to a 1st round QB.

As to the 2nd part. There are a lot of QBs that could step up this year and get drafted. McCall at NC St. Ward at Miami. Carson Beck at Georgia and Ewers at Texas. Some need to step up. Dart from Ole Miss. Sanders in Colorado. Milroe at Bama. Weigman from Texas A&M.

If Russ is fantastic, they probably can't afford him but could franchise him.
If Russ is great in success but not exactly lighting it up, you offer him a 2-year deal for good money, let Fields go, & draft his successor.
If Russ is mediocre, you walk away at the end of the year, sign Fields to be a #2 slash placeholder starter, draft a QB.
If Russ is terrible, you insert Fields in 2024 and see what you've got
............. if he's great, you've found your franchise QB
............. if he's terrible, you walk away after 2024
............. if he's mediocre or pretty good, you ditch Russ, sign Fields to be the #2/placeholder starter while you groom your shiny new QB pick

[bradshaw2ben]

Yeah Larry O sucks goat balls.
Terrible decision to extend that dude.
If Benton goes down, yinzers are looking at the worst DL in the NFL.

I agree with the poster concerned about the probability of once upon time B2B draft crush Cordarrelle Patterson to make it through the season.
Few weeks back I read a blurb where he declared himself like 30% healthy or some crazy shit.
Now he's out with a hamstring.

GEORGIA UDFA RB Daijun Edwards is going to impress on special teams and make the Steelers roster.
Book it, Dano.

I honestly haven't been this excited for the pre-season in years.

Russ
Fields

Two dogs
One bone.

Jebrick mentioned in a draft thread that one will be signed after the season to be a bridge QB
But which one?

And which College QB are they are bridging for?

Much like the Steelers' preseason, I can't remember EVER being this excited for a college football season.

12 team playoff
Conference realignment
GO DAWGS
ROLL TIDE

JUSTIN case Iron_City_ is here incognito:

[jebrick]

Well then the leverage just went a little more to the Steelers with Aiyuk and the Niners drafted a WR this year.

Maybe they listen a little more to Omar, really wondering if they can come to an agreement.

Trent Williams is a very important player for them, that locker room has to be interesting these days, dudes who got paid, dudes trying to get paid, Brock Purdy's eventual $$$ and now this!

Belichick wouldn't even come and help them out, what a start to their season...

There is zero reason for the 49'ers to trade Aiyuk unless they implode in the 1st 1/2 of the season. As others point out, the 49'ers window is closing fast so why trade a weapon until you have to. They are going to gut that team in a year or two.

[Orangesteel]

Something I don’t understand…

If Rusty Wilson does turn it up this year why the hell couldn’t we afford him? Who are we paying right now that would make it so we can’t afford him? If you reply with a bunch of guys on defense, my retort will be to cut all of those overpaid under-achieving assholes that are part of a defense that hasn’t done shit for this franchise in terms of playoff performance in ages.

And yes I’m talking about guys like Watt, Minkah, etc. They will be a year older. If Wilson seems to have a couple of good seasons left then I’d sign him unless they are in love with 2-3 prospects in the draft.

And we all remember the “love” they had for Kenny (HA!) coming out so I’m not even sure about that.

[Steelafan77]

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS: The "starting" offensive line was: (left to right) Dan Moore Jr., Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig, James Daniels, and Broderick Jones. The No. 2 offensive line was: (left to right) Dylan Cook, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, and Troy Fautanu … Rookie free agent running back Daijun Edwards flashed some burst on a couple of running plays during the padless, non-contact practice
https://www.steelers.com/news/training- ... rt-july-25

[Orangesteel]

Daijun Edwards is a find.

As Drama said, BOOK IT!

[.Kodiak]

Daijun Edwards is a find.

As Drama said, BOOK IT!

Well, I guess Warren is going to have some competition then