Pittsburgh Steelers Mandatory Minicamp: Three bold predictions involving Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and T.J. Watt
Starting on Tuesday, June 10th, the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin a three-day stretch that culminates with the end of the offseason on Thursday. After that, the team will go away until the end of July, when the 2025 season begins by all reasonable measures, given the start of training camp. And so, as the team […]
Starting on Tuesday, June 10th, the Pittsburgh Steelers will begin a three-day stretch that culminates with the end of the offseason on Thursday.
After that, the team will go away until the end of July, when the 2025 season begins by all reasonable measures, given the start of training camp.
And so, as the team gathers for this last stretch, here's a few predictions surrounding the biggest names in Pittsburgh…
Prediction #1: Aaron Rodgers looks like his "old self"
If I had to bet, I would wage a hefty amount that the videos, reports, and comments that come out of Pittsburgh this week will be extremely optimistic regarding how Aaron Rodgers looks.
And here's the thing, they should be.
We're talking about football in shorts. I don't care if Aaron Rodgers is 41, 51, or 61, as long as he can grip a football, he's always going to look good when he lets it fly. What remains to be seen is how well his mobility, arm talent, and utilization of the Steelers' weaponry looks when the games count.
Prediction #2: DK Metcalf not only shows up, but shows out
Metcalf, who was the star acquisition of the offseason prior to Aaron Rodgers, decided to forgo the last two weeks of Steelers OTAs, which is totally reasonable given their voluntary nature.
But unless he wants to be fined by the team, (though his new contract would certainly take care of a few thousand), I expect he shows up with his starting quarterback now in place.
And when he does, I expect him to wow. This is a WR who mignt be the most physically gifted player the league has at the position. Pittsburgh didn't pay him top 5 WR money for no reason.
He's going to look like George Pickens on steroids, both literally and figuratively, given his physique and play style. There should be more than a few Rodgers to Metcalf clips this week.
Prediction #3: T.J. Watt continues his holdout
Barring the Steelers and Watt coming to terms on a new extension before Tuesday, I don't think Watt will be in town, even if the practices are mandatory and he is the face of the franchise.
It's all a part of the negotiations after all. God forbid he suffers a noncontract injury, similar to what happened to Donald Parham Jr. last week, and his chances at a lucrative deal go up in smoke.
Luckily for the Steelers, the presence of Rodgers should take away from what in a normal offseason, would be viewed as a "distraction" from Watt.
