It's finally here. The next time the sun rises over Western Pennsylvania, players will report to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., marking the official start toward the 2025 season.
This year's Steelers team is markedly different than its 2024 predecessor. Looking back to the last time this team played football, nine starters have been replaced. That includes massive moves that brought Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh.
While the roster has changed, and on paper appears to be stronger than the team that won 10 games last season, how things play out at training camp give us a much better idea of how this collection of talent will be used. Thus, here are five things that deserve a lot of attention over the next three weeks:
HOW WILL RAMSEY BE USED?
The swap of Minkah Fitzpatrick for Ramsey causes a shakeup in the secondary. Now, cornerback is a position of great strength, the strongest it's been in years. But, having a great collection of talent isn't enough. It has to be utilized in a way that not just makes sense for the players, but for the defense as a whole.
Having Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay and Ramsey all in the secondary at the same time is tantalizing. That's a trio that is very capable of playing a lot of man coverage, which could free up the defense to blitz more often, thus putting the quarterback under pressure more often.
But, how exactly will that work? Of the three, Ramsey by far has the most experience playing in the slot. Is that where he'll be most often in Pittsburgh? Will he play a good helping of safety, as well? What about when the base defense is on the field? Who of Porter, Slay and Ramsey will be standing on the sideline? Training camp will help shed some light on this.
HOW MUCH DOES RODGERS HAVE LEFT?
The 2025 season will likely be Rodgers' last. He's had a phenomenal career, ranking third among all quarterbacks in Pro-Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor. However, at 41 years old and turning 42 in December, how much does the four-time MVP have left in the tank.
Based on his tape with Jets in 2024, Rodgers still has plenty of arm strength and a quick release. He's also far more mobile than people think a 41-year-old can be, which was reinforced during minicamp. But, how much will he do throughout training camp? And how successful will he be in executing the plays during practices?
Father Time waits for no man. It even caught up with Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. If it's going to catch Rodgers this season, we may see early signs of it during training camp.
HOW IMPACTFUL IS THIS ROOKIE CLASS?
Outside of a few exceptions, Mike Tomlin doesn't often like to give rookies too much on their plate right away. They earn their snaps by merit. That being said, there are at least a couple of rookies who could earn big roles right away.
Karl Dunbar has already declared first-round pick Derrick Harmon as the starting left defensive end. And because it's been this way for years and will remain this way again in 2025, third-round pick Kaleb Johnson will surely get his fair share of touches in a timeshare at running back. Training camp gives these two, along with any other rookie or newcomer, could put them on the fast track to a larger role.
We saw this play out just a few years ago when Jaylen Warren came into camp as an undrafted free agent and not only earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but become No. 2 to Najee Harris very quickly. If Harmon can establish any kind of presence that he can be a player right away and if Johnson can prove himself in pass protection and carry over his success at Iowa to the NFL level, there's no roadblock in their way of becoming key contributors right away.
But, it might not only be these two that steal the spotlight ...
ANY SURPRISES?
Just about every year, some under-the-radar type turns heads left and right in Latrobe. As I mentioned, it was Warren in 2022. Though the expectations were pretty high last year, Beanie Bishop also proved himself during camp last year, enough to earn the starting nickelback job while Cam Sutton was suspended for the first eight games of the season.
So, who could it be this year? There are a number of options. Roc Taylor has gotten a good amount of hype at the receiver position. Even before the Steelers traded away Fitzpatrick, safety Sebastian Castro was one of the favorites for this category.
But, what if it's somebody completely different? What if the Steelers are waiting on adding a wide receiver because they want to see how Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson look in training camp? What if either of those guys show enough that Omar Khan doesn't feel as convicted to make a move for another receiver? I'm only suggesting that as a possibility, but it wouldn't be the most surprising thing, either.
Just as fans are eager to see which player could make the most of their opportunity at training camp, the coaching staff and front office share the same sentiment.
HOW'S THE OFFENSIVE LINE PROGRESSING?
Perhaps the most important position on the entire roster is the group of five men that are tasked with paving the way for the running game and protecting a 41-year-old quarterback. Thus, a lot of eyes will be focusing on the offensive line, with Broderick Jones drawing the most attention.
Now, the trenches are among the hardest to evaluate at training camp. The nature of this setting in today's NFL limits physicality and contact. However, that doesn't mean we can't learn who's putting themselves in a good spot and who's not.
Last year, Troy Fautanu did more than enough to get real consideration to be the full-time starter at right tackle. A preseason injury and then ultimately a dislocated knee cap stopped that from ever being a reality. Zach Frazier also did enough to earn real consideration to be the Week 1 starter at center, though a seasons-ending injury to Nate Herbig made that an automatic decision.
Either way, both guys proved quite a bit to the coaching staff at training camp. This year, we could get some early indications of how this unit might play in 2025.
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THE ASYLUM
Five things to watch at training camp
It's finally here. The next time the sun rises over Western Pennsylvania, players will report to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., marking the official start toward the 2025 season.
This year's Steelers team is markedly different than its 2024 predecessor. Looking back to the last time this team played football, nine starters have been replaced. That includes massive moves that brought Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh.
While the roster has changed, and on paper appears to be stronger than the team that won 10 games last season, how things play out at training camp give us a much better idea of how this collection of talent will be used. Thus, here are five things that deserve a lot of attention over the next three weeks:
HOW WILL RAMSEY BE USED?
The swap of Minkah Fitzpatrick for Ramsey causes a shakeup in the secondary. Now, cornerback is a position of great strength, the strongest it's been in years. But, having a great collection of talent isn't enough. It has to be utilized in a way that not just makes sense for the players, but for the defense as a whole.
Having Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay and Ramsey all in the secondary at the same time is tantalizing. That's a trio that is very capable of playing a lot of man coverage, which could free up the defense to blitz more often, thus putting the quarterback under pressure more often.
But, how exactly will that work? Of the three, Ramsey by far has the most experience playing in the slot. Is that where he'll be most often in Pittsburgh? Will he play a good helping of safety, as well? What about when the base defense is on the field? Who of Porter, Slay and Ramsey will be standing on the sideline? Training camp will help shed some light on this.
HOW MUCH DOES RODGERS HAVE LEFT?
The 2025 season will likely be Rodgers' last. He's had a phenomenal career, ranking third among all quarterbacks in Pro-Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor. However, at 41 years old and turning 42 in December, how much does the four-time MVP have left in the tank.
Based on his tape with Jets in 2024, Rodgers still has plenty of arm strength and a quick release. He's also far more mobile than people think a 41-year-old can be, which was reinforced during minicamp. But, how much will he do throughout training camp? And how successful will he be in executing the plays during practices?
Father Time waits for no man. It even caught up with Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. If it's going to catch Rodgers this season, we may see early signs of it during training camp.
HOW IMPACTFUL IS THIS ROOKIE CLASS?
Outside of a few exceptions, Mike Tomlin doesn't often like to give rookies too much on their plate right away. They earn their snaps by merit. That being said, there are at least a couple of rookies who could earn big roles right away.
Karl Dunbar has already declared first-round pick Derrick Harmon as the starting left defensive end. And because it's been this way for years and will remain this way again in 2025, third-round pick Kaleb Johnson will surely get his fair share of touches in a timeshare at running back. Training camp gives these two, along with any other rookie or newcomer, could put them on the fast track to a larger role.
We saw this play out just a few years ago when Jaylen Warren came into camp as an undrafted free agent and not only earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but become No. 2 to Najee Harris very quickly. If Harmon can establish any kind of presence that he can be a player right away and if Johnson can prove himself in pass protection and carry over his success at Iowa to the NFL level, there's no roadblock in their way of becoming key contributors right away.
But, it might not only be these two that steal the spotlight ...
ANY SURPRISES?
Just about every year, some under-the-radar type turns heads left and right in Latrobe. As I mentioned, it was Warren in 2022. Though the expectations were pretty high last year, Beanie Bishop also proved himself during camp last year, enough to earn the starting nickelback job while Cam Sutton was suspended for the first eight games of the season.
So, who could it be this year? There are a number of options. Roc Taylor has gotten a good amount of hype at the receiver position. Even before the Steelers traded away Fitzpatrick, safety Sebastian Castro was one of the favorites for this category.
But, what if it's somebody completely different? What if the Steelers are waiting on adding a wide receiver because they want to see how Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson look in training camp? What if either of those guys show enough that Omar Khan doesn't feel as convicted to make a move for another receiver? I'm only suggesting that as a possibility, but it wouldn't be the most surprising thing, either.
Just as fans are eager to see which player could make the most of their opportunity at training camp, the coaching staff and front office share the same sentiment.
HOW'S THE OFFENSIVE LINE PROGRESSING?
Perhaps the most important position on the entire roster is the group of five men that are tasked with paving the way for the running game and protecting a 41-year-old quarterback. Thus, a lot of eyes will be focusing on the offensive line, with Broderick Jones drawing the most attention.
Now, the trenches are among the hardest to evaluate at training camp. The nature of this setting in today's NFL limits physicality and contact. However, that doesn't mean we can't learn who's putting themselves in a good spot and who's not.
Last year, Troy Fautanu did more than enough to get real consideration to be the full-time starter at right tackle. A preseason injury and then ultimately a dislocated knee cap stopped that from ever being a reality. Zach Frazier also did enough to earn real consideration to be the Week 1 starter at center, though a seasons-ending injury to Nate Herbig made that an automatic decision.
Either way, both guys proved quite a bit to the coaching staff at training camp. This year, we could get some early indications of how this unit might play in 2025.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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