The Steelers worked through a somewhat vanilla setting to this the final Monday practice at St. Vincent College. Without pads the day was filled with a handful of notable individual plays in the seven shots and team portions, but the biggest news may have come after practice when Cam Heyward spoke with the media.
INJURY UPDATE
Players who didn't practice: Cam Heyward, Isaac Seumalo, Jonnu Smith, Calvin Austin, Cory Trice, Ryan McCollum, Will Howard, Calvin Anderson, J.J. Galbreath, Donte Kent, Devin Harper.
Players who were limited: Darius Slay (twisted his right ankle in seven shots/did not return), Jalen Ramsey and Alex Highsmith both worked off to the side but did not participate in drills.
HEYWARD EXPLAINS
After practice concluded Heyward was interviewed by the media, where he addressed the issue of his hold-in for an adjusted contract. Cam had this to say:
"Honestly, I am just looking to be valued with a contract adjustment relative to the market. I understand I signed a contract last year but to be completely honest with you, I told them, when I have an All-Pro year; I'm coming back (to the table)."
To gain some context into how the negotiations went last year with Heyward he stated that "the team asked him to take a pay cut last offseason before they agreed to the extension."
As far as where negotiations stand at this point Heyward stated, "there have been talks related to his contract with Omar Khan, Art Rooney II, and Mike Tomlin but they have obviously not gone the way he has wanted." He and his agents first approached the team in February about adjusting his contract.
When asked if he would like to restructure some of the money on the current contract around for the 2025 season, Heyward said "being respectful to the process of what both sides are trying to accomplish, I would definitely say that's something similar I'm thinking about."
The heaviest weighing question asked of Heyward was if he's willing to sit out games to get a new contract, to which he replied, "I think there are definitely options out there that could reflect that."
OFFENSE
* Mason Rudolph coming off a very impressive showing in Jacksonville, followed up with another practice where he threw passes with conviction, touch, and velocity including a beautiful pass to Pat Freiermuth down the seam in team drills.
While we all know there is no quarterback controversy, Steelers faithful can rest soundly knowing that this version of Rudolph is confident and is playing with the moxie of one of the best backup signal callers in the league.
* Jaylen Warren is in impeccable shape and is poised to shoulder the majority of snaps early on this season. His patented blend of explosiveness, power, and quickness has been continually on display, and his upside could be that of an **Aaron Jones**-esque stat line if he can stave off a deep depth chart of quality backs.
* Freiermuth the aforementioned benefactor of Rudolph's passing ability is securely in the crosshairs as the second option of the passing game, due to his combination of athleticism, route running ability, and sure handedness.
* Aaron Rodgers has built a clear rapport with both Freiermuth and D.K. Metcalf, and looks to them in key situations, including an impeccable go ball completion to Metcalf for over 30 yards in team sessions today
* I have been impressed with Roman Wilson and his development as he seems to be trusting his instincts a little more each day and seems to be improve a little more each time I see him. He has also impressed his offensive coordinator. Arthur Smith had this to say about his second year wideout: "Roman is a guy that has put a lot of work in, and obviously nobody wants to go through that and not play your rookie year. But he handled it, some guys they just go away, some find out a way to work. I am pretty sure the ball was going to go his way, but your never sure of it, if the coverage was different, it may have got to Scotty (Miller) or could have gone to the back, but that was intentional to get him going early, he deserves that, to be rewarded. I have seen a lot of progress, and hopefully it continues."
* With Austin's extended absence Miller keeps turning heads, repeatedly, as it seems he is always at the right place at the right time and doesn't drop a ball. He seems to be third on the pecking order of trust behind Metcalf and Freiermuth at this point. Take it with a grain of salt, because he may fall down the depth chart when the more decorated pass catchers become healthy.
* Speaking of under the radar players, Max Hurleman the young wideout from Notre Dame via Colgate who caught his first touchdown against the Jaguars could be a surprise addition to the final roster, as he continually has shown an advanced feel for getting open, his toughness in combat catch situations, and his ability to excel on special teams both on coverage teams as well as return duties. (Read more on Hurleman HERE from our minicamp impressions.)
* The Steelers' offensive line is young and possesses a lot of upside, but I want to highlight two players whom I believe will be vital depth pieces at some point this season. Spencer Anderson has done a quality job stepping in at left guard while Seumalo has been held out of practice, showing intelligence and synergy alongside Broderick Jones. The other is Andrus Peat, the former Pro-Bowl guard of the New Orleans Saints. He's looked solid in his effort to secure the swing tackle job with his power and foot quickness. Dylan Cook will likely be his biggest roadblock to a spot on the final roster.
DEFENSE
* Yahya Black only played a handful of snaps in his preseason debut, but he was dominant with a combination of pure power and variety of moves that he wasn't given an opportunity to showcase at Iowa. He continually is in lock step with the other two young pillars of the defensive line (Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton) in never being more than a few steps away from Heyward's mentorship.
.@steelers @Yblack74 is a Big Man who moves big bodies . Natural John Deere Power....JDP for short. #herewego #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/hF0wy9adW1
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 11, 2025
* Esezi Otomewo is another defensive lineman further down the roster that I have written down on a few occasions as he plays with tremendous effort and power on the backside of pursuit, he would be an ideal candidate to stow away on the practice squad to develop.
* Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen have the athleticism, intelligence, and instincts to rank among the best tandem of inside linebackers in the league. Queen flashed his dominance on this practice day as he came up with a near interception of a Rodgers pass intended for Freiermuth, and then on the next play Queen would have come down with a sack if allowed. Wilson's further growth in the intricacies of the defense have allowed him to play even faster, while also showcasing his physicality, like the suplex he laid on Dyami Brown in the Jaguars game.
Jags got the 1st down but a takedown from Payton Wilson the late Hulk Hogan would have loved. pic.twitter.com/KEhLEXKE0g
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 9, 2025
* Brandin Echols was a player I highlighted in my previous notebook, and he had a fantastic debut against the Jaguars, playing tight coverage and was a feisty tackler. On this day, with Ramsey limited, Echols got his chance to flash his skill from the nickel cornerback spot, where he was particularly timely in his blitzing. It led to what would have been a sack, and he played tight coverage even when going against Metcalf.
* Juan Thornhill laid a tempo-setting hit in the preseason debut against the Jaguars, but what I have been impressed with is his instincts in coverage as he has been able to be the security blanket over the top. It hasn't taken away his aggressiveness from storming downhill in pursuit. His development in this defense should give Teryl Austin peace to deploy the three-headed monster of Porter Jr., Slay, and Ramsey in any way he sees fit.
.@Juan_Thornhill with the BOOM ?
?: #TBvsPIT 8/16 at 7 PM ET on KDKA pic.twitter.com/ji7YXO2X8J
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 10, 2025
(Follow Roy Countryman on Twitter at @PreacherBoyRoy.)
Mason Rudolph was on fire in Jacksvonville (Photo: Corey Perrine-Florid, USA TODAY Sports)