First Practice Under New Leadership
The Pittsburgh Steelers commenced their 2026 Training Camp with the first practice held at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. This marks the 60th time the college has hosted the inaugural workout, but it is the first under new head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy is the fifth head coach for the Steelers over these 60 summers, succeeding Mike Tomlin, who led the team for 19 seasons. The practice began at 11:20 a.m., a departure from Tomlin’s typical afternoon sessions, which often took place during the hotter parts of the day.
This initial practice was conducted without pads, as it was one of four acclimation days mandated by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Pads are scheduled to be worn starting with the 11:20 a.m. practice on Monday, August 3. McCarthy emphasized maximizing the 21 days in Latrobe, aiming to continue the work from OTAs. The focus for this practice included 2-minute drills and end-of-game operations, with perimeter work being a key component due to the helmet-only format.
Squad Adjustments and Player Focus
During the practice, Broderick Jones, who underwent offseason neck surgery, participated at left tackle. He was not placed on the physically unable to perform list at the start of camp. Rookie Max Iheanachor and Dyan Cook, who played left tackle last season after Jones’ injury, worked at right tackle. McCarthy highlighted the importance of position flexibility among the offensive linemen, stating that the team aims to have at least 10 offensive linemen on the roster. He also mentioned that combinations of two or three players would be observed closely to determine the sixth, seventh, and eighth linemen for game days.
In the quarterback rotation, Aaron Rodgers took the No. 1 snaps, followed by Mason Rudolph at No. 2. Will Howard and Drew Allar divided the remaining snaps. McCarthy indicated that Rodgers, at 42 years old, would be on a rep count during the first week to manage his workload, allowing ample opportunities for the other three quarterbacks. The development of all quarterbacks is a priority, with a focus on 7-on-7 and team drills, alongside valuable drill work and film study.
Changes in Training Approach
A notable change under McCarthy’s leadership is the decision to forgo live tackling during training camp. McCarthy explained that while he has incorporated live tackling in the past, the current approach emphasizes footwork and assessing stress through other training methods, including tackling and team drills. This contrasts with Tomlin’s previous preference for intense tackling sessions, which he believed offered benefits for player development.
McCarthy stated that every drill has been evaluated, incorporating a GPS component to apply necessary stress to training situations without going to the ground. He views assessing stress as a primary responsibility of a head coach in managing a team’s training regimen. The goal is to reduce risk while still preparing players effectively. This new approach to tackling is one of several differences expected between McCarthy’s tenure and Tomlin’s 19-year period with the team.
Regarding player health, Joey Porter Jr. was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list later in the day. McCarthy noted that this is part of the re-entry process, and the team will take his recovery day by day without setting specific timelines.
Source: steelers.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.