LATROBE, PA — Day Two of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp was cut short by about 20 minutes due to thunderstorms in the area, but there was plenty to discuss once the players left the field, so let’s get into it.
Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf get in sync
It didn’t take long for Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf to avenge a rough Day One. Rodgers hit Metcalf on a quick out for a touchdown on the second play of seven shots, which drew a resounding applause from the crowd – and featured a release of held breath after a slow day from the pairing to kickoff camp. Mike Tomlin was asked about the connection’s improvement, and he gave a classic answer with a cheeky smile.
“That’s what I anticipate [from the duo],” Tomlin said. “I’m not gonna throw a pep rally – that’s what I expect. That’s what I envisioned all summer.”
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin on QB Aaron Rodgers’ touchdown pass to DK Metcalf in practice.
“That’s what I envisioned all summer” pic.twitter.com/QHneDvpiY3
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) July 25, 2025
The biggest play of the day, though, was a pass from Rodgers to Calvin Austin in team drills. Austin caught a deep pass in which he won from the right slot and had Rodgers place the ball over the trailing defender’s head in stride for a big gain.
After a clunky first day, it was good to see Rodgers bounce back, and even better to see he and Metcalf connect for a score. Rodgers came back to Metcalf on a fade to the right side that fell incomplete in the end zone. It was a good throw, but the coverage by Joey Porter Jr was very good. Speaking of:
Dominant day for the secondary
This secondary is going to be very good. Porter had the aforementioned coverage on Metcalf, but also nearly picked off Mason Rudolph a couple of plays later, marking the second straight day he had a pass hit him where it could have been a pick. In addition to that, he had a nice PBU on Pat Freiermuth in team drills, which led to a bit of jawing back and forth between the two.
Jalen Ramsey continues to move around and make a big impact in doing so, as well. He was lined up as the nickel back and showed blitz. Coming off the edge, he had an incredible low bend around Troy Fautanu to get to Rodgers as he threw for what would have been a hit on the quarterback in-game. Later on in team drills, he made a play on a pass intended for Calvin Austin to force an incompletion. Already, he is looking like the Swiss army knife the Steelers were hoping they were getting when they traded for him.
Jalen Ramsey just blitzed off the edge and beat Troy Fautanu on the bend. Would have been a QB hit in game.
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) July 25, 2025
Cory Trice had a standout day, as well. He provided great coverage on a Will Howard pass to Brandon Johnson on a fade route and forced the incompletion. Later on in team drills on a go ball to Robert Woods, Trice ran step-by-step with the veteran and forced the incompletion.
Cory Trice with a nice deep PBU on a Skylar Thompson pass
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) July 25, 2025
New Steeler Brandin Echols also broke up a deep ball from Mason Rudolph during this period. Overall, it was a great day for the unit, and they look like a team that could have a top five secondary in football.
Full Seven Shots Results
Bad snap (replay down)
Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf (TD)
Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf (Incomplete)
Mason Rudolph to Ke’Shawn Williams (Incomplete)
Mason Rudolph to Scotty Miller (TD)
Will Howard to Brandon Johnson (Incomplete)
Will Howard to JJ Galbreath (TD)
Aaron Rodgers to Pat Freiermuth (TD)
Other Notes
Will Howard took over QB3 reps from Skylar Thompson – that didn’t take long
TE Jonnu Smith missed his second straight practice after partaking in walktrhough at the beginning of practice. Mike Tomlin ruled him as day-to-day after Thursday’s practice
It’s clear that Kaleb Johnson will be very good. He broke a run outside to the left and got upfield. DeShon Elliott dapped him up and was vocally praising him after the play
