Steelers-Bucs Joint Practice: Aaron Rodgers’ slow start and DK Metcalf’s burden anchor the top-3 questions on offense

The Steelers host the Bucs for a joint practice session on Thursday. Here are the top storylines to monitor on offense.

Evan Winter, Rob Gregson
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Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a joint practice session and a preseason game this week after the team’s 31-25 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.

The Bucs have one of the NFC’s most talented rosters, and they have Super Bowl expectations heading into 2025. As a result, the joint practice, as well as the game, represent solid measuring sticks for the Steelers’ starters and depth players.

We don’t know exactly who will play in Saturday’s game. Therefore, we’ll focus on Thursday’s joint practice session where we know it’ll be full participation for both teams. To get a good outlook on the Buccaneers’ side of things, A to Z Tampa Bay’s Evan Winter joined me to break down the Top-3 questions on offense heading into the joint practice.

Will Aaron Rodgers find some rhythm against a Bucs defense that’s been hot since the start of training camp?

Rob: In recent days, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense have finally come to life. The rapport between Rodgers and Metcalf has been steadily built since day one. Second-year WR Roman Wilson has also started to mix in since Calvin Austin III is out with an injury.

But Pittsburgh’s defense has still been dominant. We have very rarely produced takeaways where Rodgers was the star of the show. So does that say more about how good the Steelers’ defense has been? Or how bad the offense is? We should receive our answer to that question by Thursday.

Evan: It’s interesting to hear Rodgers and Co. are starting off slow, but it’s not a surprise. That’s not the case for the Bucs defense, however, as the unit has been flying around and making plays all throughout training camp.

The unit is relatively healthy, as well. All three levels of the defense have stood out since the end of July, and that should carry over against a Steelers offense finding its way. The Buccaneers defense has been playing a lot more man coverage and has upped the physicality during the last couple of weeks, on top of the typical disguises Todd Bowles likes to throw at opposing offenses. We’ll see if it continues its high level of play on Thursday.

Can DK Metcalf carry the load against a Bucs secondary that’s consistently made plays since Day 1?

Rob: As of publication Tuesday morning, Austin III, the Steelers’ No. 2 receiver, hasn’t practiced since Aug. 1. Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth are the top two options not named DK Metcalf, but the pressure will be on the Steelers’ head honcho to perform.

Metcalf has become a favorite of Rodgers. Whether it’s in the red zone, during 11-on-11s, or in two-minute drills, when the offense is in a team setting, Rodgers is dropping back and looking for Metcalf.

So if I’m the Buccaneers, my game plan is to make anyone without the number four on his chest beat us. And if I’m Metcalf, my goal is to prove why the Steelers made me among the top-five highest-paid players at my position.

Evan: As mentioned earlier, the Bucs defense is relatively healthy. It is dealing with some injuries at cornerback, however, to the point where they had to bring in an outside corner to help with rep management. Still, this secondary has done nothing but ball out since training camp started, and it’s not just the corners — the safeties and even the linebackers are pitching in. The Bucs defense snagged three interceptions off Titans quarterbacks in the first preseason game, so it’s bleeding over, too.

The cool part about the Bucs secondary is that so many guys are cross-trained to play different spots. Metcalf can see a different corner at any moment. He’ll likely see heavy doses of Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum, but don’t be surprised if the Bucs mix things up and force others to make plays, like Rob mentioned.

Can the Steelers’ tackles take a step forward against a Bucs pass rush looking to find its own way?

Rob: The Steelers’ offense will go as far as its young tackle duo takes it in 2025. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu played well against Jacksonville, but Jones and Fautanu weren’t facing an up-and-coming group of hungry pass rushers like those employed by Tampa Bay.

This will be the first time all camp, and likely until September, that we see the Steelers’ starting line, with Rodgers, face an opposing defense. Those kinds of reps and situations are invaluable to players lacking reps.

It’s up to Jones and Fautanu to make the most of those reps.

Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) and offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) participate in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) and offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77) participate in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College.Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Evan: The Buccaneers are trying to upgrade the edges in 2025 after the defensive line accounted for more than half the sacks in 2024. So far, we’ve seen flashes of what Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby can do, which is promising. They’ve got to show they can consistently make it happen, though.

Reddick still has the speed and bend to turn the corner and get to the QB. Diaby is a mix of power and speed, with more of the former defining his game. Then there’s Anthony Nelson and Chris Braswell in the mix, and both have had solid camps, although Braswell didn’t pop against Tennessee in the preseason game.

The Titans have a promising young tackle duo that’s finding its way, much like the Steelers. It’s another good opportunity for the guys on the edge to take another step forward in what they hope will be a productive 2025 season.

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