Steelers Training Camp Highlights McCarthy Era Start And QB Battle

Systematic Pace and the Quarterback Derby

One week down and one week remaining before the Steelers play their first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy’s opening training camp has brought a noticeable shift for veterans. The intense physicality of previous summers has been reined in, replaced by high-tempo workouts emphasizing quality repetitions under what the head coach labels a systematic approach.

With Aaron Rodgers reiterating on the first day of camp that this will be his final season in the National Football League, the battle to secure the backup role and position for the starting job in 2027 has emerged as a central narrative. McCarthy opened camp with veteran Mason Rudolph taking second-team reps, but Will Howard and rookie third-round draft pick Drew Allar have received substantial work with the second-tier offense.

Steelers Camp Highlights Mike McCarthy Approach And Backup QB Battle

Howard has turned heads after a quiet spring. Following an opening practice where McCarthy initially signaled a demotion by sending him to the third team alongside Allar, the second-year quarterback out of Ohio State responded aggressively. Howard was easily the most impressive quarterback during the first week, threading seam passes between defenders to Robert Tonyan and Kaden Wetjen while pushing the ball downfield.

Meanwhile, Allar has displayed typical rookie volatility mixed with flashes of high upside, delivering sharp throws into tight windows during competitive team drills. McCarthy has noted openness to keeping four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster—a configuration the franchise has not utilized since Bill Cowher retained four in 1995, though without the positional versatility Kordell Stewart provided back then.

Rookie Contributions and Offensive Line Battles

The Steelers welcomed 10 draft picks to camp—their largest class since 2010—and several newcomers are already making their presence felt. First-round pick Max Iheanachor has pushed Dylan Cook for the starting right tackle job. While Cook has been solid, Iheanachor’s natural talent has made him a serious contender to earn the starting assignment.

In the secondary, third-round pick Daylen Everette has quickly earned praise from the coaching staff. He doesn’t look like a rookie, McCarthy said of the Georgia product, I’ve been impressed with him.

Drew Allar Learns from Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy with Steelers

Defensive Depth, Cornerback Play, and Linebacker Flux

Joey Porter Jr. remains on the physically unable to perform list while general manager Omar Khan works through long-term contract negotiations. In his absence, the secondary has revealed unexpected depth. Asante Samuel Jr. has stepped into Porter’s spot with the first-team defense, holding his own against receivers like DK Metcalf, while Brandin Echols has locked down the starting slot cornerback role.

As the team prepares for its preseason opener and looks ahead to the regular-season opener at home against the Atlanta Falcons, coaches are managing returning players carefully.