Mini camp is upon us.

Mini camp is upon us.

The 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp is scheduled for May 8th-10th, featuring draft picks, undrafted free agents, and tryout players.

Normally I am not that excited about mini camp, but with McCarthy and a new system to learn I am.

This is followed by the mandatory veteran minicamp from June 2-4. The team's offseason program also includes Organized Team Activities (OTAs) beginning May 18.

All veterans better report on time and pay attention.

To AR: &#^t of get off the pot.

 

IIRC, teams can also bring some small number of vets for rookie mini camp.

Howard would make a ton of sense because (1) he essentially didn't play last year (but I think did accrue a season, so doesn't count as a rookie for this), and (2) you need QBs at camp anyway so might as well bring in a QB you desperately want to get some work (who might not get as much in full camp now that we'll probably have 4 QBs).

My prediction is that we're going to hear a lot about how awesome Allar looks. Because it sounds like he does very well as long as there isn't pressure / things aren't breaking down in the play.

Assuming Allar and Howard are both there, hopefully we also hear a lot about how good Bernard looks.

We will learn basically nothing about Max. But we'll probably hear about how he's big and looks athletic.

 

I actually hope if AR signs it is not until the June camp so the young guys get more snaps

MM suggested he prefers this

Training camp and preseason for once should be interesting

I don’t usually care much about watching preseason games but now it will be fun to watch Allar and Howard

I will go to the preseason games this year

And if I’m correct there should be two home games in preseason this year because I believe there was only one last year

 

Yes 2 @ home

Both @ night

 

Especially since MM is Rodgers' old coach and is likely designing the offense to cater to AR. Who he knows well...didn't he also say that he was in frequent contact with AR?

 

Yes to frequent contact

But it think it is more AR is familiar with MM’s offense rather than designing the offense to AR

Why design an offense to a guy you only want until one of the others is ready (hopefully)

Once they drafted Allar I highly suspect they want to get either him or Howard ready to go sooner than later and not to warm the bench

And that could be the hold up either way AR now ego wise

I suspect we will know that answer by June 1

 

Maybe "designed" is too strong a word.

I agree with you that AR will be familiar with MM's offense after playing in it for a while.

And that when AR is starting (assuming he comes back), he'll have significant say / control over what types of plays get called to tune it to him specifically.

My guess is that the main plan is to have the two young guys sit unless (1) AR goes down or (2) we get eliminated from the playoffs. Then even the other AR (owner) will understand that the best way forward for the team and the fans is to look at getting better in the medium term instead of just trying to win the next game.

 

You don't want Rodgers showing up for mini camp let the young guys get the reps, if Rodgers returns it likely wouldn't be until mandatory mini camp.

 

AR has not been MM's offense for years and I am sure some things have changed.

We also added new WR's and a RB that will be featured in 2026. If he is serious, he better report on time. Develop chemistry with the the new veterans and rookies he should.

As the leader of the team I expect nothing less.

 

It is less than a month away. AR need to commit and sign soon. I'm not a fan of 1 year rental players. IMO, AR is playing games. Are you cool with that?

 

i thought we had to cater the offense to drew allar?

 

i'd like the two newbies to be around rodgers as much as possible to learn from one of the best.

 

Certainly not something I said.

Because I don't think he'll be the starter this year. And the odds are that he never will be the starter.

If he does start, we will undoubtedly tailor what we do to try to give him the best chance he has to succeed.

 

You may be right.

But I tend to believe that the vast majority of coaches don't really change that much.

 

1 year old rental players

 

Ahh minicamp. A time of grabass and ice cream in the cafeteria.

 

Yeah football in shorts with absolutely no hitting. The time of year KJ broke the internet with how awesome he looked last year at minicamp.