LATROBE, Pa. -- Eli Rogers rolled into Saint Vincent College Thursday hanging from the side of a semi-truck. He was decked out for work, wearing a hardhat, gloves and a fluorescent green long-sleeve jumpsuit covered by black overalls.
It looked a little something like this from my vantage point:
And the biggest entrance this far goes to...
ELI ROGERS! Just as we all expected. #dkps #steelers pic.twitter.com/OwgxxBYCwf
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) July 25, 2019
But Rogers doesn't work construction. He doesn't work for a trucking company, either. He doesn't fight fires. He plays football. And he might not do so in Pittsburgh in 2019 if he doesn't take his situation seriously.
For a team that missed the playoffs and was widely described as a "circus" in 2018, the Steelers were all business through offseason activities. First came rookie minicamp, then OTAs, then minicamp, and not a peep of drama could be found. It couldn't even be manufactured, which is saying something in today's digital world. With Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell officially gone, it appeared the team was solely focused on one thing: Football. And more specifically, winning football.
That notion held true Thursday as players reported for camp.
There was Joe Haden in his Rolls-Royce and his authentic Sidney Crosby sweater. There was Bud Dupree on a scooter. Range Rovers, Camaros, Challengers and tricked-out trucks aplenty.
Oh, ok @joehaden23 ... that’s how it’s done. The Crosby jersey AND the @RollsRoyce. #DKPS #Steelers pic.twitter.com/fkoTJTFcxz
— Matt Sunday (@mattsunday) July 25, 2019
But there were no helicopters, no "look at me" calls for attention. Just football players showing up to do football stuff. And that's just how the Steelers prefer it'd be this season. Even Vince Williams, who is widely considered one of the funniest, most personable players on the team, toned it down this year. Last season, Williams went full Stone Cold on everyone.
Vince Williams rocking the @WWE Stone Cold Steve Austin look to report for @steelers camp pic.twitter.com/XQU01lzMYG
— Chase Williams WPXI (@chasepwilliams) July 25, 2018
This year? Nothing. He either snuck in the back or came before or after everyone else. There were no theatrics from No. 98.
So if he got the memo and if arguably the biggest personality on the team — JuJu Smith-Schuster — got the memo, what was Rogers thinking?
Some context beyond the team's "all-business" mentality is required. Rogers was not invited to the NFL Combine, and the Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2015.
He spent the entire season on injured reserve.
In 2016, he started eight games, catching 48 passes for 594 yards and three touchdowns — all career highs.
Things initially trended up for Rogers in 2017, as he was fourth on the wide receiver depth chart to begin the year before being named a healthy scratch in weeks three and four. Behind Antonio Brown and rookie sensation Smith-Schuster, Rogers struggled to find his footing in a crowded offense. Things went from bad to worse when Rogers tore his ACL in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Then he was suspended the first game of the 2018 campaign for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Still rehabbing from his knee injury and working to get back into game shape, Rogers made just three starts in 2018, notching 12 receptions for 79 yards and zero touchdowns.
Now, consider the Steelers' current wide receiving corps:
• Smith-Schuster
• Newly signed free agent Donte Moncrief
• Second-year player James Washington
• Slot receiver and return man Ryan Switzer
• Rookie receiver and return man Diontae Johnson
• Return specialist Diontae Spencer
On the fringes battling for a roster spot are Johnny Holton, Trey Griffey and Tevin Jones, too. Point is: Rogers' spot is not safe. It's certainly not guaranteed.
Of all people to break away from the football-only focus, he's not the guy who should've gone for it. He has bigger things to worry about.
Like his job.
