Unpopular Opinion: Steelers interceptions during training camp aren’t a bad thing

When the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the dreaded long offseason, there are plenty of ideas to debate. As part of the triumphant trio on the Steelers Preview podcast, I’ve been known to often give a “Dave answer“ to various things as I often like to argue both sides of an issue. With this in mind, a new weekly segment has been born… Unpopular opinion.

There are plenty of arguments both for and against the Pittsburgh Steelers that might not go along with the majority of fans. Oftentimes I believe in these arguments, while other times I simply like to pose a counter argument for ones that are taking it too much to the extreme. For this reason, I’m going to offer some points about the Pittsburgh Steelers that go against the general fan narrative, or at least how I have heard things.

Next up is how much stock should be put into intercepted passes at training camp…

Steelers interceptions during training camp aren’t a bad thing

There was a little bit of a discussion between Jeff Hartman and I as to which side of this topic is actually the popular opinion versus the unpopular opinion. Jeff was making the argument to be unpopular I was going to need to state the opposite. I don’t think that is the case. But what Jeff was basing his information on was the wonderful community here at Steel Curtain Network and not across Steelers’ Nation.

For those reading this article and even listening to this podcast, you might agree with this unpopular opinion and think it might not be that unpopular. But when looking at the casual Steelers fan, or even the casual NFL fan, I think they are making a big deal out of interceptions thrown at Steelers training camp.

Personally, I don’t think they’re that big of a deal… depending on the interception. Some interceptions are just bad. Massive miscommunication. Very inaccurate throws. Things of this sort are going to be bad no matter when they are made. But if a quarterback is trying to push the limits of what they can do and where they can fit the ball, I would much rather them do that during training camp in order to get their answers.

I know there was a lot made out of the idea that Ben Roethlisberger went an entire training camp where he did not throw an interception. That’s a really significant accomplishment. Also, you have to keep in mind that Ben got a lot of days off, so he might not have been making as many throws in training camp as he was earlier in his career. But frankly, I would rather Ben Roethlisberger continue to try to throw into smaller and smaller windows to see what he could get away with until he could no longer do it in order to build that knowledge for the regular season.

Also, it is important to remember that the Steelers have had three training camp practices. If you’re going to have issues come up in this regard, the earlier the better. Now it’s about the Steelers, and particularly Aaron Rodgers, figuring stuff out even more, learning from it, and doing it better the next time.

If the interceptions that were being thrown were just terrible passes, I would be worried. If the interceptions being thrown are trying to fit a ball where it is questionable whether or not the pass could be made, it is strictly a learning experience. And even though the Steelers quarterback is over 40 years old, he’s having to learn an awful lot in his first season with the Steelers.

Additionally, I must admit that I’m happy to see interceptions, specifically because of the Steelers defense. I was hoping they would have an improved secondary in 2025, and so far I’m like what I’m hearing. So when looking at the standpoint of most negative things on one side of the ball being a positive on the other, it’s a good time for things such as interceptions to happen.

If you are someone who is making a big deal out of the interceptions that have been thrown so far in Steelers training camp, all I have to say is this: calm down. There’s still a long way to go until the Steelers play a meaningful football game. It’s not about how good they are right now, but how good they are with the games count. As Steelers fans know from experience over the last several years, it’s not even how you’re playing when the games count to start the season, but how you’re playing come the end of the season.

To hear the latest Unpopular Opinion podcast, check it out in the player below. Be sure to check back for this podcast every Sunday morning during the Steelers offseason.