The Jig Is Up: Steelers Training Camp, Vol. 1, What a start!
Recently I was thinking about my time writing about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout my career doing so, I’ve essentially done it all.
Commentary, news, breaking stories, features and even took a stab at simple film room breakdowns.
The one thing I’ve never done is work on just a random thought type format.
I can’t speak for you, the reader, but I am always thinking about writing and the Steelers. Thinking about different aspects of the team and game. Thanks to reading Myron Cope’s biography I decided to put a unique spin on this type of feature.
Now, for the name of the article, anyone who is familiar with the Styx song “Renegade” should know where it came from. If not, this is where it came from…
The jig is up, the news is out
They finally found me
The renegade who had it made
Retrieved for a bounty
Nevermore to go astray
This’ll be the end today of the wanted man
The jig is up…time for some randomness.
Back to camp
The Pittsburgh Steelers are back at Saint Vincent College, and that means it is time to finally talk about, you know, football! But there are other talking points from the team reporting to training camp on Wednesday. Here I’ll dive into interesting facets from training camp which might have been lost in the shuffle.
Sure, some topics will be discussed at great length, but let’s get to some training camp randomness!
What a start for A-Rod
I can only imagine what the fans were thinking as they sat there and watched the first 11-on-11 team period to begin. With no “7 Shots” period, it was the fans’ first look at Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense. They wait for Rodgers’ first pass…and…it doesn’t go as planned.
See for yourself:
YIKES.
Aaron Rodgers throws a INT right to teammate Patrick Queen on his first pass of Steelers training camp 😬
Not a good start in Pittsburgh….
— Fantasy+ (@playfantasyplus) July 24, 2025
Of course social media went crazy with Rodgers errant pass, but after practice Rodgers addressed the interception and shook it off.
“It’s good to get that out the way,” Aaron Rodgers says of his first throw being intercepted today.
“I’m gonna throw some picks. But I’m gonna throw some touchdowns too.”
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) July 24, 2025
I never put too much stock into really good, or bad, plays from training camp, especially non-padded practices. The defense is typically a step ahead of the offense out of the gate, and I’ll just chalk this up to early camp rust. If Rodgers throw the same interception throughout camp and the preseason, then maybe we have a problem on our hands. Until then? I think everything will be just fine.
Also, tip of the cap to Patrick Queen for a great read and executing the interception!
Any Injuries?
After practices Mike Tomlin meets with the media and announces any potential injuries. Thursday’s practice saw some heat-related issues, but the only two names which were brought up after the workout were Jonnu Smith and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Jonnu Smith and Cordarrelle Patterson DNP today. Mike Tomlin indicated they will be out short term and not long term.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) July 24, 2025
It is worth noting at this juncture of the season teams don’t have to be specific with injuries and ailments, hence Tomlin’s “vague” answer regarding Patterson and Smith.
This is just the beginning
As I stated early, these practices are just that…practice. While we applaud the great plays, we do have to remember this is when the team is getting accustomed to each other. For quarterbacks and receivers to get on the same page, and for players to get that proverbial rust knocked off from the offseason.
This was what happened when DK Metcalf dropped a pass during workouts Thursday.
As expected, social media didn’t handle this well…
Rodgers to DK, dropped
this is training camp everyone not the season pic.twitter.com/x7t4B0ivHv— Robbie (@SteelersWRobbie) July 24, 2025
Just like with the Rodgers interception, dropped passes happen, and unless we’re talking about this in the regular season, let’s see if this becomes a trend or just a one-off.
This defense is going to be something
It is weird seeing so many new faces to the Steelers. Players like Jalen Ramsey wearing No. 5, but the more I see, the more I feel this defense is going to be a problem for opposing offenses all year long. Still weird not seeing No. 39 anywhere on the field…
les go pic.twitter.com/3NbwMSsJr5
— Robbie (@SteelersWRobbie) July 24, 2025
I’m hoping the change is real
While you take most of what happens at training camp with a grain of salt, there are still some aspects of camp which shed some light on what the team might be preparing for this season. Preparation doesn’t always equate to changes when the games count, but an attempt is certainly worth noting.
The Steelers are certainly starting to move some players around, and they didn’t wait long to give it a shot.
Some of the changes? Jalen Ramsey moving all over the defensive backfield and T.J. Watt moving around the line of scrimmage…to name a couple.
Let’s just hope the change is real, and not just a failed experiment.
Talked today with a few players who noted schematic changes on the Steelers’ defense, including some new disguises on the back end. In terms of playing up front, there’s a hope to add more blitz looks, with some movement from the edge rushers to matchup hunt.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 24, 2025
Steelers rookies showing up!
It’s early, but I always love seeing the Steelers rookie showing up. Derrick Harmon had himself a day, according to reports.
Harmon has been around the ball a lot on some these run plays. Two would-be TFLs if the pads were on
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 24, 2025
Not to be outdone, Kaleb Johnson also had some impressive runs…even if there weren’t any pads worn.
I’m hesitant to call anything a big run given there’s no pads, but one thing I’ll say is Kaleb Johnson absolutely flies when he gets into open grass.
Serious build up speed.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 24, 2025
Those two rookies are likely the cream of the 2025 crop, and they’ll be two players to watch throughout camp and the preseason.
More Mount Washington!!
I think I speak for all of Steelers Nation when I say I want to see more tweets which end in a Darnell Washington reception…
Probably best throw is the day so far has been a 20 yard corner route from Mason Rudolph to Darnell Washington that went for a score. #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) July 24, 2025
The receptions don’t have to go for a touchdown, but just getting him involved in the offense as a pass catcher and receiving targets is a step in the right direction.
More Mount Washington!
Check out the latest “Let’s Ride” podcast in the player below:
That does it…the jig is up, they’ve finally found me. This renegade is outta here…be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2025 training camp.
People really show their true colors on the internet when it comes to reacting to training camp plays and making crazy proclamations about such plays. I guess it gets clicks for some people. I do think some people genuinely put a lot of stock into it. Some of whom are in the live chat every now and then lol. Fun to see the guys back in uniform! Here we go
Watching so many of the clips from camp, I was struck with Aaron Rodgers’ first trip down the hill to the practice field -I just wonder what was going through his head? Because there are so many fans there, it has to feel like running the gauntlet. And I wonder if he’s seen such a large crowd for camp before.
I did hear in his post-practice media session he had a similar situation with the Packers, especially when they ride the bikes to practice. But still Saint Vincent is a 1 of 1, in my opinion.
McCormick was signing autographs, Rodgers swatted his backside on the way down the hill, as in “Come on, big guy, we’re going to work.”