DK: My (versatile, flexible) observations from OTAs
Just a gorgeous morning/afternoon for summertime football on the South Side:
• The Steelers' OTAs, which swept through a fifth formal day here Thursday, continue to be defined by ... their lack of definition. And in particular, I'm referencing Mike McCarthy's all-encompassing push for versatility and flexibility at all positions. He's imparted that on his players, on his staff and, from what I've gathered, even his schemes.
All embraced with a smile, I might add:
"I'm playing D-line, man," Keeanu Benton would come right back to the same silly question I've been asking him annually at this time of year. "I feel like I can play all over the D-line, and that's how they're going to utilize me."
Right. All over.
Just like Yahya Black, who was at nose tackle for this session, could be anywhere on that same line. Just like Jaquan Brisker would confirm he was at inside linebacker rather than his standard strong safety spot, adding, "I can play anywhere." Just like Jalen Ramsey and most of the rest of the secondary's been set up to slide all over. Just like Riley Nowakowski, the rookie who was introduced to the media by the running backs coach and is officially listed as a fullback, beamed about all his work on this day at tight end, saying, "I love going wherever they put me." Just like Mason McCormick had no complaint about moving from right guard to left, where he'd been a mainstay in college. Just like Troy Fautanu's switched from right tackle to left.
Just like this guy, as well:
"Not a problem at all," Dylan Cook would tell me, his own trademark smile very much in place, of switching from left tackle to right even after an apparent breakout 2025.
Just for fun, if I had to identify players who absolutely, positively won't be available to flip and flop at least through the remainder of this offseason, I'd probably be reduced to Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Zach Frazier, Pat Freiermuth, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt (although he might bounce on occasion), Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Jamel Dean, Joey Porter and ... yeah.
Hope they know what they're doing. Something about jacks of all trades, masters of none.
GREG MACAFEE / DKPS
Zach Frazier vs. Gennings Dunker duel in an offensive-line drill Thursday on the South Side.
• The snap above's from Greg Macafee'sphoto gallery from the day. Can't recommend it enough. He's got a terrific eye for action, an absolute must when shooting sports.
We're glad to have him back, looking forward to more.
• Cook's remarkably humble, as I hope our above conversation illustrates. It's not a pretense. He's spent time this offseason not celebrating his second-half surge or his glowing grades from Pro Football Focus and the like but, instead, picking apart his errors.
Yeah, in the Houston debacle, too.
"It was good to get my feet wet, but I'm never satisfied," he'd tell me. "My feet got a little hectic here and there. You can never get too good at playing on the road, playing on a silent count. Training your eyes and your eye discipline in that sense. There's a lot of things that'll just come with reps."
And of the Texans' demolition, he'd add, "I enjoy watching it. Because I can learn from it."
• Will Howard doesn't miss much. I'll give him that. And this, too: There's more of an authority to those throws, including from different ranges and trajectories.
• If I were a quarterback in any walk of life, like maybe just on a playground, I'd hate Drew Allar. Makes what he does with the arm look way too easy.
Think Mozart and all those old dudes:
• There aren't many relationships in this setting that fascinate more than the one between Rodgers and Metcalf. There's a palpable commitment between them to being THE pair that makes the offense go between their respective responsibilities, and it's there even in practices. No apologies to anyone else. It's just between them.
• My God, Kaden Wetjen's quick. Especially with an explosive first step off a clean reception, so I'm not just talking about his supernatural returns in college. I'll be legit surprised if he isn't utilized on the regular offense in some form. There's no one else like him in that wide receivers room.
• A reminder: When counting up all the various secondary people, don't be omitting Daylen Everette, another rookie. I heard at least one ringing and resounding endorsement of his work to date.
• Know how U.S. presidents have their first 100 days in office studied? Well, would anyone believe McCarthy recently put together his own report on his own first 100 days as the Steelers' head coach?
Yep. Did it in conjunction with his assistants.
"There are things you can definitely learn in those first 100 days," he'd elaborate after this practice. "I've learned through experience it's more important for me to listen and observe right now than talk."
That's for anyone who's wondering how different things might be in that role for 2026.
THE ASYLUM
DK: My (versatile, flexible) observations from OTAs
Just a gorgeous morning/afternoon for summertime football on the South Side:
• The Steelers' OTAs, which swept through a fifth formal day here Thursday, continue to be defined by ... their lack of definition. And in particular, I'm referencing Mike McCarthy's all-encompassing push for versatility and flexibility at all positions. He's imparted that on his players, on his staff and, from what I've gathered, even his schemes.
All embraced with a smile, I might add:
"I'm playing D-line, man," Keeanu Benton would come right back to the same silly question I've been asking him annually at this time of year. "I feel like I can play all over the D-line, and that's how they're going to utilize me."
Right. All over.
Just like Yahya Black, who was at nose tackle for this session, could be anywhere on that same line. Just like Jaquan Brisker would confirm he was at inside linebacker rather than his standard strong safety spot, adding, "I can play anywhere." Just like Jalen Ramsey and most of the rest of the secondary's been set up to slide all over. Just like Riley Nowakowski, the rookie who was introduced to the media by the running backs coach and is officially listed as a fullback, beamed about all his work on this day at tight end, saying, "I love going wherever they put me." Just like Mason McCormick had no complaint about moving from right guard to left, where he'd been a mainstay in college. Just like Troy Fautanu's switched from right tackle to left.
Just like this guy, as well:
"Not a problem at all," Dylan Cook would tell me, his own trademark smile very much in place, of switching from left tackle to right even after an apparent breakout 2025.
Just for fun, if I had to identify players who absolutely, positively won't be available to flip and flop at least through the remainder of this offseason, I'd probably be reduced to Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman, Zach Frazier, Pat Freiermuth, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt (although he might bounce on occasion), Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Jamel Dean, Joey Porter and ... yeah.
Hope they know what they're doing. Something about jacks of all trades, masters of none.
GREG MACAFEE / DKPS
Zach Frazier vs. Gennings Dunker duel in an offensive-line drill Thursday on the South Side.
• The snap above's from Greg Macafee's photo gallery from the day. Can't recommend it enough. He's got a terrific eye for action, an absolute must when shooting sports.
We're glad to have him back, looking forward to more.
• Cook's remarkably humble, as I hope our above conversation illustrates. It's not a pretense. He's spent time this offseason not celebrating his second-half surge or his glowing grades from Pro Football Focus and the like but, instead, picking apart his errors.
Yeah, in the Houston debacle, too.
"It was good to get my feet wet, but I'm never satisfied," he'd tell me. "My feet got a little hectic here and there. You can never get too good at playing on the road, playing on a silent count. Training your eyes and your eye discipline in that sense. There's a lot of things that'll just come with reps."
And of the Texans' demolition, he'd add, "I enjoy watching it. Because I can learn from it."
• Will Howard doesn't miss much. I'll give him that. And this, too: There's more of an authority to those throws, including from different ranges and trajectories.
• If I were a quarterback in any walk of life, like maybe just on a playground, I'd hate Drew Allar. Makes what he does with the arm look way too easy.
Think Mozart and all those old dudes:
• There aren't many relationships in this setting that fascinate more than the one between Rodgers and Metcalf. There's a palpable commitment between them to being THE pair that makes the offense go between their respective responsibilities, and it's there even in practices. No apologies to anyone else. It's just between them.
• My God, Kaden Wetjen's quick. Especially with an explosive first step off a clean reception, so I'm not just talking about his supernatural returns in college. I'll be legit surprised if he isn't utilized on the regular offense in some form. There's no one else like him in that wide receivers room.
• A reminder: When counting up all the various secondary people, don't be omitting Daylen Everette, another rookie. I heard at least one ringing and resounding endorsement of his work to date.
• Know how U.S. presidents have their first 100 days in office studied? Well, would anyone believe McCarthy recently put together his own report on his own first 100 days as the Steelers' head coach?
Yep. Did it in conjunction with his assistants.
"There are things you can definitely learn in those first 100 days," he'd elaborate after this practice. "I've learned through experience it's more important for me to listen and observe right now than talk."
That's for anyone who's wondering how different things might be in that role for 2026.
• Thanks for reading my football coverage.
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