The Pittsburgh Steelers’ highly anticipated training camp has delivered a mixed bag of performances, revealing both surprising standout players and concerning struggles that could shape the team’s trajectory for the upcoming NFL season. As the intensity increased with padded practices, the true mettle of the Steel City roster began to emerge, offering valuable insights into key position battles and individual player development.
One of the most talked-about storylines from the early days of camp involved third-round rookie running back Kaleb Johnson. Initially, Johnson faced significant hurdles, particularly in pass blocking drills. During the first padded session, he notably lost three out of four reps against veteran Malik Harrison, with his sole victory coming against a seventh-round pick, raising immediate questions about his readiness for NFL-level protection assignments.
However, Johnson demonstrated remarkable resilience and a quick learning curve. Just two days after his initial struggles, he showcased significant improvement, holding his own against Harrison and even securing two wins against Mark Robinson in the same drill. This rapid development in a previously identified area of weakness is undoubtedly encouraging for the Pittsburgh Steelers, signaling his potential to become a more complete back for their offensive scheme.
On the offensive side, quarterback Will Howard has begun to turn heads with a series of impressive throws. After a relatively quiet first week where he mostly looked comfortable within the offense, Howard has elevated his game, consistently making decisive plays and showcasing his arm talent during team drills. His increased playmaking ability provides a promising outlook for the quarterback position as camp progresses.
Conversely, the offensive line remains a significant area of concern, with particular scrutiny on offensive tackle Broderick Jones. Despite expectations, Jones has yet to impress during training camp, with recent practices highlighting a lack of consistent performance. His struggles could potentially impact the stability of the offensive line, a critical component for both the running game and pass protection.
Despite the issues with Jones, other offensive linemen like Mason McCormick and Troy Fautanu have shown flashes of potential. These two appear to be foundational pieces for the future of the Steelers’ offensive front, demonstrating strength and technique that could solidify key positions as they continue to develop within the system.
A notable low point during camp was the offense’s initial attempt at a two-minute drill. The first-team unit, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, experienced a series of missteps, including a batted pass, a false start, a missed connection with Pat Freiermuth, and a drop by Jaylen Warren. This was followed by another batted ball by Nick Herbig and a dropped pass down the sideline by wide receiver DK Metcalf, underscoring areas needing immediate refinement for the offensive unit.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers near the halfway point of their NFL Training Camp, the narrative is one of evolving dynamics. While players like Kaleb Johnson and Will Howard are making strong cases for significant roles with their improved performances, the team still faces challenges, particularly along the offensive line and in overall offensive execution, that will need to be addressed before the regular season begins.
