What we learned after the first week of 2025 Steelers training camp: Rookies put on a show, defense dominates, and OL struggles
The first set of practices are in the books, and the next time the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the field, it will be in pads. But before we look ahead, let's look back at what we learned from Week 1 of 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers training camp… Rookie Class Impresses Let's start at the top. By all […]
The first set of practices are in the books, and the next time the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the field, it will be in pads.
But before we look ahead, let's look back at what we learned from Week 1 of 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers training camp…
Rookie Class Impresses
Let's start at the top. By all accounts, first-rounder Derrick Harmon was a walking TFL through the weekend. Obviously, things are different when the pads come on, but some of the plays he was making will carry over against any and every lineman he faces:
But it didn't stop there. Kaleb Johnson made plays in the run and pass game. Jack Sawyer had some great reps agaginst Troy Fautanu. Yahya Black batted multiple passes at the line of scrimmage on Sunday and by the end of the weekend, Will Howard was taking reps with the ones in 7on7.
So far, so good with the rookies.
Defensive Domination
Defense will always have the upper hand to start camp. Add in a new quarterback, first time left tackle, and new WR#1 and they should definitely be winners more than losers. But after the first weekend, the league's highest-paid defense has looked like it.
Whether it's been the Steelers' patented 7 Shots period, 11v11, or even 7v7, the defense has been suffocating and multiple. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have rotated more. Jalen Ramsey has played every position in the secondary, and the DTs have been nightmares in the backfield.
It could be a bad omen for the offense, but I think it's more of a look into how special this defense can be.
Offensive line off to a slow start
Typically, you want to reserve judgment for offensive line units after the first week of pads. The reason why the unit has been a bit of a concern isn't that they have been getting beaten like a drum, however.
Instead, it's that Broderick Jones, who needs all the reps he can get, is now day-to-day with a soft tissue injury after Sunday. It's that Zach Frazier had two bad snaps in back-to-back days leading to him being pulled from the lineup. The same thing happened to Troy Fautanu on Sunday after he had a false start.
So we'll reserve the actual judgment for this time next week, and chalk it up to rust for the unit, but they need to show they can protect Aaron Rodgers and not have so many mental errors.
2025 Steelers Training Camp Takeaways No.4: Critical starter injured, big fight ensues, and a change in the QB pecking order
Everything of note from day four of Steelers practice in Latrobe.
