Steelers Get Back to Work in Full Pads Amid Intense Heat, Physical Drills, and Positional Battles
LATROBE, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers officially kicked off their first fully padded practice session of 2025 training camp at Saint Vincent College, and despite the setbacks due to a thunderstorm that pushed things back a day, the team made the most of their Wednesday makeup under sweltering conditions.
For Head Coach Mike Tomlin, the extreme heat – recorded as a 101-degree heat index by the National Weather Service – didn’t put a damper on the enthusiasm. In fact, it added an extra level of adversity that the team welcomed.
“We got a lot of meaningful work in today,” said Tomlin following the session. “We were fortunate that the weather allowed us to get a full day of competition. There was a lot of live tackling, which is a crucial part of team and individual development. We’ll study the film and use it to keep moving forward.”
With this being the Steelers’ first padded session of the summer, the atmosphere was physical, and the focus was on building toughness and evaluating players in real football conditions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main periods from Wednesday’s action:
7-Shots: A Run-Heavy Battle with Aaron Rodgers Leading the Way
The popular 7-Shots drill, often used as a barometer for red-zone efficiency, opened the padded practice with a more run-focused approach than usual, given the nature of the practice. The drill pits the offense against the defense from the two-yard line across seven plays.
Play 1: The first team offense took the field with a jumbo 3-tight end set, only DK Metcalf out wide, and Jaylen Warren in the backfield. After some motioning, Aaron Rodgers handed off to Warren, who powered through the interior for the touchdown.
Play 2: Rodgers tried to throw off a play-action fake, but DeShon Elliott disrupted the timing by knocking the ball down at the line.
Play 3: Displaying his pocket mobility, Rodgers rolled to his right to find a lane, then hit Jonnu Smith in the end zone for the score.
Play 4: Mason Rudolph took over and immediately threw a well-placed slant to Brandon Johnson, resulting in another touchdown for the offense.
Play 5: A toss play to Kaleb Johnson went nowhere, as the defense swarmed to stop him short of the goal line.
Play 6: Rookie quarterback Will Howard entered and gave the ball to Evan Hull, who was met with stiff resistance at the line.
Play 7: The starters returned for the final rep. Rodgers used play-action again and found Metcalf in the back of the end zone with a pinpoint throw. Metcalf got both feet in to clinch a 4-3 win for the offense.
Backs-on-Backers: One of Camp’s Most Intense Drills Delivers Again
Perhaps the most eagerly awaited drill of any Steelers training camp is the Backs-on-Backers period. It’s physical, fast, and intense—a true test of toughness and technique. The drill matches running backs and tight ends in one-on-one pass protection situations against blitzing linebackers.
Coach Tomlin has long used this drill as a tone-setter for camp, especially on the first day in pads. Defense tends to have the upper hand due to their running start and the offensive side’s inability to cut block, but that doesn’t reduce the stakes or the evaluation value.
The first few reps featured high-profile veterans:
Pat Freiermuth vs. Alex Highsmith delivered a physical battle between two proven players.
Jaylen Warren vs. Patrick Queen was explosive, with Warren holding his ground admirably.
Darnell Washington vs. T.J. Watt was a power matchup, with the massive tight end holding up well even against the All-Pro pass rusher.
After the veterans had their turn, the drill shifted to rookies and less experienced players:
Malik Harrison showcased his strength and burst, winning multiple reps convincingly.
Mark Robinson made his presence known with aggressive and effective pass rush moves.
Payton Wilson, the rookie, flashed promise with his combination of speed and tenacity.
Tomlin summarized this session well: “If physicality is part of your game, it needs to be visible—and consistently so.”
Team Run: Steelers Continue Rare Tradition of Full Contact Practice Periods
The Steelers are one of the few teams in the NFL who include live tackling in every full-pads session during training camp. Tomlin believes it is essential for sharpening both offensive timing and defensive pursuit.
This period highlighted the natural progression of the run game, which tends to lag behind the defense early in camp. The defense came out dominant.
Joey Porter Jr. made an early statement, flying in to drop Jaylen Warren on a perimeter run for a loss. His speed and instincts were on full display.
Later, Porter teamed up with Derrick Harmon to smother Kaleb Johnson for no gain.
Mark Robinson again stood out, bursting through gaps and wrecking plays before they could develop. He stuffed Evan Hull deep in the backfield and continued to be disruptive throughout.
Tomlin, asked about Porter’s showing, tempered expectations. “It’s just one day. The goal is to put multiple good days together and establish consistency. That’s what we’re looking for.”
Position-Specific Evaluations and Notable Observations
With full contact, all eyes turned to how individuals responded physically. Some players rose to the occasion, while others had learning moments.
Kalen Johnson, the much-hyped rookie RB, had a rocky debut in Backs-on-Backers. He struggled with his footwork and leverage against Malik Harrison, losing three consecutive reps. Johnson clearly has raw potential but will need refinement to contribute in pass protection at the NFL level.
During the 11-on-11 pass-under-pressure period, a poorly executed shotgun snap from rookie center Zach Frazier derailed a play involving Rodgers. He was temporarily substituted by Ryan McCollum, though Frazier returned to finish the drill and will likely retain his first-team role for now.
While the Backs-on-Backers drill unfolded, a parallel WR vs. DB one-on-one drill took place. Rodgers found DK Metcalf on a deep route behind Joey Porter Jr., delivering a perfect ball for a significant gain. Metcalf’s timing and route-running continue to separate him from the competition.
Broderick Jones, expected to be a core piece of the offensive line, dressed but did not fully participate in team drills. “He was out there partially, got in some individual work and did some stuff on the side,” Tomlin explained. “We’ll transition him back to full participation.”
In one-on-one OL vs. DL reps, Troy Fautanu, the second-year right tackle, drew a tough assignment in T.J. Watt. Despite the matchup, Fautanu impressed. Tomlin offered praise: “He represented himself well today. He gets better quickly because he has to go against someone like T.J. every day.”
Injury Report and Health Update
Coach Tomlin confirmed the team mostly avoided serious injuries during the rugged padded practice.
Esezi Otomewo, a defensive end, suffered a knee injury and was being evaluated post-practice. Tomlin said more details would be provided after a medical review.
Aside from Otomewo’s situation, Tomlin mentioned only “bumps and bruises” along with a few cases of heat-related fatigue. Nothing appeared to be serious or long-term.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Start to a Crucial Phase of Camp
The Steelers’ first padded practice offered the kind of high-energy competition that sets the tone for the rest of training camp. Under punishing heat and with physical drills like Backs-on-Backers and Team Run in full swing, the coaching staff got an up-close look at which players are ready for NFL-level contact.
Aaron Rodgers continues to lead a promising offense that’s still gelling with new pieces like DK Metcalf and rookie linemen. On defense, familiar names like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Joey Porter Jr. continue to anchor the unit, while younger players like Mark Robinson and Payton Wilson are making strong early impressions.
For Tomlin and his staff, the main goal now is consistency. “One day at a time,” he reiterated. “Stack good days. Compete. Learn. And we’ll see where it takes us.”
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