Happy Friday, and I hope yinz are doing well.
In the blink of an eye, we’re through two weeks of OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The Steelers have four OTA practices scheduled for next week, and then they break before training camp begins in Latrobe toward the end of July. The dog days of summer will soon be upon us before things ramp up significantly.
However, there was plenty of news this week. The biggest involved the contract extensions Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington signed with the Steelers. Both received four-year deals, with Herbig signing for $100 million and Washington for $42 million. With the Steelers also extending Chris Boswell earlier this offseason, the attention now shifts to Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton.
The Steelers made a couple of minor signings this week as well. Robert Tonyan and Jamin Davis each signed one-year deals with the after trying out for the team at minicamp. Tonyan adds depth to a tight end room that needed it, while Davis gives the Steelers another off-ball linebacker and potentially some edge depth as well. Elsewhere in the AFC North, the Browns made a blockbuster move in trading Myles Garrett to the Rams.
As always, we’re here with you throughout the weekend for whatever news comes our way.
Have a safe and happy weekend.
Top-Read Posts Of The Week
Steelers Invite Handful Of Players To Minicamp
Pat Freiermuth’s First Impressions Of Drew Allar
Browns Trade Myles Garrett
Steelers Sign Nick Herbig To Extension
Fittipaldo Predicts Alex Highsmith Trade
Peace and love, peace and love!
1 – How long will Steelers’ OLB trio of Herbig, Watt and Highsmith stay intact?
2 – Will Joey Porter Jr. sign a contract extension before training camp?
3 – Does the Myles Garrett trade change your view of where the Steelers will finish in the AFC North?
4 – Which player is most likely to be a surprise cut and miss out on the 53-man roster?
5 – Between Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, who makes a bigger impact in 2026?
Recap: Week 2 Of OTAs Weekend: Steelers Friday Night Five Questions
Q1: Who has been the biggest winner from the first two weeks of OTAs?
Respondents gave a variety of answers—Drew Allar was the only one who received more than one vote. Wes explains, “Drew Allar. (He really got a lot of attention from the coaches, especially McCarthy.) Chris92021 picked the head coach: “Biggest winner is McCarthy because everyone is loving how he runs practices and works with the players, especially the QBs.”
Q2: Who has been the biggest loser from the first two weeks of OTAs?
The overall consensus is that Mason Rudolph has been the biggest loser in OTAs. The two younger quarterbacks and Aaron Rodgers are getting everyone’s attention. Ted Webb writes, “In shorts and helmets shouldn’t be any losers; all players should look good but probably Mason just screwed in picking order. Rodgers is the starter, and the young guys are getting a lot of attention.”
Q3: Will the Steelers extend any other contracts before minicamp ends next week?
Almost no one expected the Steelers to extend any additional contracts before minicamp ended. Rock3373 thought Joey Porter Jr. should be soon. But Nick Herbig and then Darnell Washington were extended this week. Maybe by the time this is posted, Joey Porter and/or Keeanu Benton will join them.
Q4: Do you predict any players will no-show at mandatory minicamp? If yes, who?
Only one person predicted a no-show at the mandatory minicamp of sorts: John Stewart wrote, “Just for fun, I will say Herbig will do a brief hold-in.” Herbig conducted a brief hold-in before signing a four-year, $100 million contract extension. Alex Highsmith missed Wednesday, but the Steelers said it was due to an illness.
Q5: Which second-year player will take the biggest leap in his sophomore season?
Respondents believe Derrick Harmon is the second-year player who will take the biggest leap in 2026. Newguy68 wrote, “I’m going with Harmon. If he can be a force at DL, that makes everyone else so much better on the defense.” Two others were mentioned. Chris92021 wrote, “I will go with Jack Sawyer.” And Ted Webb added, “Yahya Black. I know Harmon is the first-round pick, but I think Black makes some noticeable progress.”
Consensus vs. Correct Answers
Questions SD Consensus Correct Answers
Biggest OTA winner? Drew Allar Up to you!
Biggest OTA loser? Mason Rudolph Up to you!
Any contract extensions? No Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington
Minicamp no-shows? None Alex Highsmith (illness)
Second-year player with biggest leap in 2026? Derrick Harmon TBD
The Steelers will hold their final round of OTAs next week from June 8-12.
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