Following a training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, the Pittsburgh Steelers broke camp a day early due to weather. Head coach Mike McCarthy shifted away from Mike Tomlin’s long-standing physical practices while general manager Omar Khan assembled a deeper roster ahead of the 2026 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their time at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe with a distinct shift in routine. For observers tracking the franchise, the transition from the Mike Tomlin era to Mike McCarthy’s first training camp revealed wholesale changes in practice habits, roster construction, and positional depth.
Mike McCarthy Alters the Latrobe Routine
For 19 seasons under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers maintained some of the most physical training camps in the NFL. McCarthy broke sharply from that precedent. The initial days in pads lacked traditional tackling, backs-on-backers drills, and post-catch hits on receivers. Running back Jaylen Warren acknowledged the shift, noting the lack of heavy contact.
“It’s not what we’re used to.”
Jaylen Warren, Running Back, via Post Gazette
The scheduling of practices also changed. Rather than moving sessions to 11 a.m. to escape afternoon heat, McCarthy kept afternoon workouts at 2 p.m. to give assistant coaches time to review film before bringing players back for a 5 p.m. walkthrough. The goal was immediate correction while mistakes remained fresh, replacing the traditional next-morning review used by the previous coaching staff.
Quarterback Development and the Quarterback Room
At 42 years old and entering his 22nd NFL season, Aaron Rodgers has lost nothing on his fastball, maintaining a quick release and encyclopedic knowledge of McCarthy’s offense. Behind the veteran starter, however, the development of younger quarterbacks dominated camp discussions.
Drew Allar caught the attention of the coaching staff following a strong spring, summer, and a preseason performance against the Green Bay Packers. Despite a college record of 1-7 against ranked opponents at Penn State and a late-season ankle injury that required surgery, McCarthy valued Allar above other available options in the draft. The organization has not cut a rookie third-round pick before the season since Liffort Hobley in 1985, securing Allar’s roster spot and sparking speculation about his potential to start as soon as 2027.
Will Howard also pushed for positioning, raising questions about whether veteran Mason Rudolph might become expendable or if the team would carry four quarterbacks.
Omar Khan Builds Roster Depth Across Skill Positions
General manager Omar Khan has reshaped the roster through trades, free agency, and draft classes, creating some of the deepest positional units the team has seen in years. Wide receiver depth has expanded significantly with the additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard. Roman Wilson, entering his third year, earned Rodgers’s trust while working out of all three receiver slots during injuries to DK Metcalf and Pittman Jr.
In the backfield, Rico Dowdle has proved productive and pushed for carries alongside Jaylen Warren, effectively stepping into the backfield role previously handled by team MVP Kenneth Gainwell.
Defensive Reorganization Under Patrick Graham
Watt and Cam Heyward, who quickly adapted to the complex scheme. On the defensive front, Derrick Harmon drew praise for his coachability and physical talent, while Keeanu Benton solidified his role as a foundational piece.
The secondary emerged as a potential team strength. Although Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. did not spend significant time on the field together during camp, the cornerback room showed unexpected depth. Jamel Dean added steady veteran play, and Asante Samuel Jr. put together a strong bid for a starting role after overcoming prior injuries. Daylen Everette also distinguished himself as a top rookie performer in the defensive backfield.
Offensive Line Adjustments on the Right Side
While the left side of the offensive line settled into a cohesive unit featuring Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, and Zach Frazier, the right side presented ongoing evaluations. Spencer Anderson manned right guard as a reliable option while rookie Gennings Dunker developed. At right tackle, Dylan Cook held the primary spot as Broderick Jones worked his way back from a neck injury and first-rounder Max Iheanachor managed minor injuries.
