Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones works through drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Latrobe.
Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones works through drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Latrobe.
The Steelers completed their ninth practice of training camp under the lights in their annual night practice Saturday night in front of almost 8,500 fans at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
It was a night of bounce-back performances from players who’d been struggling at recent practices to find any level of consistency.
Broderick Jones had struggled mightily during the pass protection portions of the Steelers’ first week of fully padded practices with very few wins. During the past week he lost badly to starters and backups alike, often looking like he was still getting his technique back.
But Saturday night, Jones had his best showing of camp when he went up against Nick Herbig during a one-on-one pass protection drill. Against the fourth-year edge rusher who just signed a $103 million contract extension, Jones displayed good footwork and strong hand usage when he stayed square with Herbig and ended the play by throwing the outside linebacker to the ground. Shortly after, Jones went up against Jack Sawyer and won again with good footwork and hand placement for his strongest performance in pass protection this camp.
[Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson, left, is learning a lot from Patrick Queen.
Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson, left, is learning a lot from Patrick Queen.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/08/07/payton-wilson-queen-trainingcamp-linebackers/stories/202608070009)
Jones suffered a season-ending neck injury against the Bears on Nov. 23, 2025, and didn’t return to being a full participant in practices until training camp began in late July. The 2023 first-round pick out of Georgia is in the final year of his contract and has consistently played on the second-team offensive line behind Dylan Cook.
Cook also had a solid night while rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor missed another practice due to an injury he suffered during the Steelers’ Thursday practice at Saint Vincent College. Cook went up against T.J. Watt twice and won both reps as he looked prepared to counter Watt’s pass rush moves.
Troy Fautanu also had a strong evening in pass protection when he went 2-1, splitting with Alex Highsmith 1-1 and holding off Herbig.
Collectively, it was one of the better practices for the Steelers’ offensive tackles — a group that’s seen three first-round picks used on it in the past four years.
Drew Allar’s best practice
Out of the four quarterbacks, Penn State rookie Drew Allar had struggled to find consistency the most over the Steelers’ first eight practices of camp. But Saturday night, Allar looked sharp in both 7-on-7 and full team situation practice periods with delivering his deep ball.
His first big throw of the night was a well-placed 25-yard strike to Robert Tonyan down the seam of the defense that hit the ninth-year tight end in stride. The next play, Allar followed that with another accurate deep ball down the right sideline for a 30-yard completion to a leaping Brandon Smith in tight coverage.
Later, Allar would connect with Smith again on a crossing pattern — with a good read against zone defense — for 20 yards down the middle of the field. He had his moments when he looked unsettled, like when he missed Tonyan on a wide open screen pass or rushed a pitch to Kaleb Johnson that led to a fumble.
[Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. pulls in a ball during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Latrobe.
Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. pulls in a ball during training camp at Saint Vincent College, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Latrobe.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/08/07/pittman-rodgers-colts-flacco-ryan-rivers/stories/202608070046)
But Allar’s performance on deep passing in this practice was easily his best showing of camp and a good sign of his progress.
Jamel Dean’s pick-six sets tone for defense’s Franco Moment sweep
This practice’s Franco Moment focused on situational down and distance where the offense got to face the defense for an entire drive that started on its own 20-yardline.
But the defense won all three of the reps Saturday night. Jamel Dean kicked off the sweep on the first play when he jumped an Aaron Rodgers pass to the flat to Roman Wilson, intercepted the throw and returned it for a touchdown. Dean had struggled to make plays early in camp, but has stacked multiple good practices where he’s caused turnovers and limited big plays.
Mason Rudolph led the second-team offense to multiple first-down conversions, including two completions to rookie receiver Germie Bernard for 17 yards. But the defense forced a fourth down field goal with linebacker Jamin Davis and Dean Lowry batting down passes at the line of scrimmage. On fourth down, backup kicker Laith Marjan missed a 45-yard field goal.
The third-team offense also committed a turnover on the first play of their series, when Lew Nichols fumbled a handoff from Will Howard that was recovered by Kevin Jobity Jr.
DK Metcalf’s connection with Aaron Rodgers continues to impress
When the first-team offense took the field for their first 11-on-11 reps after Rodgers’ pick-six, they struck right back. Rodgers went deep down the sideline with a 30-yard pass perfectly put into the hands of DK Metcalf, who tip-toed the sideline despite tight coverage from Asante Samuel Jr.
It was one of the better reps that showed great competition from both sides, as Samuel has had a strong camp and applied sticky coverage, but both Rodgers and Metcalf overcame the moment with their growing connection between the top quarterback and the top receiver.
Michael Pittman Jr. injury doesn’t look serious
Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. had a light injury scare when trainers had to look at his knee after he came up limping during a 7-on-7 drill. Pittman didn’t return to practice, but looked comfortable moving around without a limp for the remainder of practice and told reporters he felt fine.
Robert Tonyan’s veteran savvy boosts young quarterbacks
In addition to his 30-yard reception from Allar, Tonyan had another big play on the night during a full 11-on-11 practice period with Will Howard.
Out of the I-formation, Howard took a play-action pass and stood tall in the pocket and looked down the right sideline. Tonyan had run an out-and-up route against safety Sebastian Castro. Howard threw a ball to Tonyan’s back shoulder, which allowed the veteran tight end to adjust to the pass behind Castro, catch the ball and keep running for yards after the catch.
The Steelers already have decent contracts on their starting tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington. But Tonyan is proving that he doesn’t just have a connection with Rodgers after their five years together in Green Bay. He may be a reliable target to help both the young quarterbacks on the roster throughout the Steelers’ three upcoming preseason games.
Brandon Smith fights for receiver depth chart spot
While the Steelers appear to have four receivers locked to make the final 53-man roster, fourth-year receiver Smith continues to fight to be one of the potential two other receivers to make the roster. He’s had a strong training camp and taken several reps with the first-team offense.
Saturday night, he made plays for both the first- and second-team offenses. In addition to his two chunk plays with Allar, he broke open on a slant to convert a 3rd-and-2 pass from Rodgers against a Cover 2 defense for a 10-yard gain.
He’s been a reliable playmaker throughout camp. But he’s also up against special teams ace Ben Skowronek and rookie Kaden Wetjen who doubles as the team’s leading kick and punt returner.
First Published: August 8, 2026, 7:05 p.m.