The Official Steelers Training Camp Thread 2026 the new era begins

July 28 kicks it off. less than a week away. all kinds of fluff being put out by every basement dweller around. who will be in form. who will hold in. who will be traded. who will be cut. who will start. so many theories. i say let the games begin in this new era of Mike McCarthy and this new staff. i think it will be a fun ride into the season.

 

Training Camp =

I am looking forward to preseason games because of Howard and Allar. Hope they get plenty of snaps.

 

Steelers Training Camp Battles to Watch.


(in no particular order):

1. Right Guard – The True Three-Way Fight. Anderson vs. Hoffman vs. Dunker. This is the most important interior line battle on the roster. The winner will likely open the season as the starter.


Spencer Anderson is the veteran with the most Steelers experience. He’s a reliable, plug-and-play option — a solid backup who knows the scheme. However, he’s the least athletic of the group.2025 PFF stats: 58.2 overall grade (56.8 when including all snaps), 60.9 pass-blocking, 59.6 run-blocking. Allowed just 10 pressures and zero sacks across 381 snaps.

Brock Hoffman brings familiarity with offensive line coach Mike McCarthy from their time in Dallas. He’s primarily a center but can play guard. He’s a safe bet to make the roster.2025 PFF: 56.0 overall grade (34th out of 40 qualified centers), 58.4 pass-blocking, 56.9 run-blocking.

Gennings Dunker (3rd-round pick) has the highest upside. Tree-trunk legs, elite workout numbers (615-lb squat, 600-lb deadlift), and a ridiculous 9.56 RAS at the Combine. He’s the most physically gifted but also the rawest as a rookie converting from tackle to guard.

My prediction: Anderson has the highest chance ( 60%) of starting Week 1 because Dunker is still adjusting to guard and the coaches value reliability early. If Dunker is even 85% ready by preseason Game 2, though, his physical dominance could win the job. He has the highest ceiling.



2. Dime Defensive Back (6th DB)Starting base: Porter, Dean, Ramsey, Elliott, Brisker.
Ramsey’s versatility (corner/safety) gives the defense flexibility, but who becomes the true sixth DB? Candidates are: Rookies Everette and Spears, plus veteran Samuel.

Everette stood out in OTAs/minicamp as a coverage specialist.

Spears looks like a fast, physical run-stopper.

Samuel is the safe veteran fallback if the rookies aren’t ready but his play has been poor in his last two seasons.


My call: 80% chance Everette wins the role. Spears should contribute heavily on special teams. This secondary is the best the Steelers have had in five years. They’ll likely keep 9 DBs, with Echols as my guess for the 8th.


3. 5th & 6th Defensive Lineman. Locks: Heyward, Benton, Harmon, Black (this could be Heyward’s final season).The next two spots are wide open. Candidates: Day, Otomewo, Lee, Rubio, Lowry .My take: Day should lock down the #5 spot. I say that is 66% likely. The #6 role is a thinner talent pool. Don’t be surprised if it goes to a veteran cut from another team.


4. Backup Quarterback – Rudolph vs. Howard. With Rodgers’ age and injury history, this backup role is more important than usual.

Mason Rudolph is a proven veteran. He’s in his prime, knows the system, and has 9 wins as a Steelers starter. The safe, reliable choice.

Will Howard (6th-round pick) has the higher upside but way lower floor. He’ll get the entire camp plus two preseason games to make his case.

My prediction: Rudolph wins the job ( 75% likely ) Howard will need to flash consistently to unseat him which is a tall task for a rookie who hasn’t taken an NFL snap yet.


5. 3rd Tight End (and possible FB) Rookie Nowakowski looks like the favorite. With limited choices of other TE's on the roster, he could fill both roles. Versatile tight ends/FBs are valuable.


6. 3rd Running BackCandidates: Johnson (last year’s 3rd-round pick) vs. rookie Heidenreich.Johnson had a disappointing rookie year and lacked explosiveness and offered nothing on special teams.
Heidenreich (Navy product) is a Swiss Army knife: Good runner, good receiver, good on special teams. He posted a 9.12 RAS, ran a 4.44 40 (fastest RB on the team), and looked smooth in minicamp .My call: Heidenreich makes the team 66%. Johnson will be cut.


7. 3rd Wide Receiver. Wilson is the quickest (maybe fastest) receiver on the roster. He was the standout of minicamp and earned an invite to Rodgers’ offseason retreat. Bernard is a polished rookie with advanced route-running, but more of a chain-mover than a difference-maker right now.

My prediction: Wilson wins the job ( 66% chance). Bernard still has real long-term upside. Either way, this should be the best WR3/WR4 duo the Steelers have had in years.


That is how I " C " it with no injuries happening which I unfortunately do.

 

there is a training camp thread.

 

this should be a quite different training camp than the previous 19 years. two young QB's. a whole new staff of coaches. more coaches. new players.

 

But someone will post useless stats from camp practice

Especially QBs

 

Cats yawn like they mean it

 

As I mentioned my wife is from the desert of New Mexico

For about 10 years I took a week of vacation at Thanksgiving or Christmas and sat there looking out the window at tumbleweeds rolling by in a landscape just like that

 

patience.

 

Only 21 more days and we play the Packers!

 

Will Alex Highsmith show up on day 1, or will he skip training camp like he did with min-camp?

Cough-Cough I am sick, nothing to see here.



With the recent injury, could Alex be singing Sweet Home Carolina this offseason?
Born August 7, 1997 (age 28)
Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.

 

WHAT? No love for Old Man Rodgers?!?

 

Every Steelers QB since Roethlisberger retired-

 

I know what you mean but if “We” played the Packers there would be two less posters about the end of the first series