Steelers Saturday Night Lights practice: A Dean pick-6, Metcalf’s one-handed grab

LATROBE, Pa. — The Steelers boarded the yellow school buses at Saint Vincent College and set off for their annual night practice under the lights. As they approached Latrobe Memorial Stadium, a black-and-gold sign at Frederick Funeral Home greeted them.

“Welcome Steelers. Knock ’em dead in 2026!”

As much as anything, the sign reflects how Western Pennsylvania’s obsession with the Steelers often reaches a fanatical level in the truest sense of the word. When the Steelers got to the high school stadium, there were even more reminders. Nearly 8,500 fans greeted the team, packing the bleachers on both sides of the field and hanging over the fences surrounding the entire perimeter of the track.

Several kids made signs hoping to exchange candy for an autograph from DK Metcalf. One woman cut out letters spelling out the last name of red-headed, mulletted rookie lineman Gennings D-U-N-K-E-R. Terrible Towels were everywhere. Shirts were optional. It was quite the scene.

Here are some takeaways from one of the marquee practices of training camp:

Defense almost immaculate in Franco Moment

Each practice, coach Mike McCarthy ramps up the intensity during what he calls the “Franco Moment,” a segment of high-leverage plays thrust onto players without warning. In earlier practices, it’s been a goal-line period or a third-down situation. On Saturday night, it was a surprise two-minute period in the middle of practice.

Aaron Rodgers got the ball first at his own 35-yard line with 1:41 on the clock. Seconds later, cornerback Jamel Dean was celebrating in the end zone. Rodgers threw toward the left sideline for Metcalf. Dean jumped the hitch route and took it the other way for a pick-six.

“The best defenses are on the sideline,” defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said, pointing out that the easiest way to do that is with a quick turnover.

Mason Rudolph was a bit more successful. He led the second-team offense to the defense’s 26-yard line. The drive stalled when rookie Germie Bernard, who has been sure-handed in practice, dropped a third-and-6 pass. The 45-yard field goal attempt by backup kicker Laith Marjan sailed wide.

Like Rodgers, Will Howard’s drive lasted just one play. On what appeared to be a run-pass option or read-option, either the timing or communication was off at the mesh point. Running back Lew Nichols was already past Howard when the quarterback tried to hand off the ball. Backup defensive lineman Kevin Jobity Jr. jumped on the loose ball.

Sloppy moments for offense

Throughout practice, ball security was an issue. During later team periods, running back Kaleb Johnson dropped a pitch and Jaylen Warren fumbled. While it’s just one practice, there are bigger takeaways here. Warren struggled with fumbling issues earlier in his career, including in 2023 when he put the ball on the ground four times. A few training camps ago, he had to carry around a waterlogged football everywhere he went. While he only fumbled once in 2025, the easiest way for him to lose playing time in a shared backfield with Rico Dowdle is to put the ball on the ground.

For Johnson, the dropped pitch is another reminder that he’s not a natural catcher of the football. It’s something he’s worked on a lot after practices on the JUGS throwing machine. Especially in an offense with West Coast roots, where the running back is an important part of the passing game, he’ll need to continue to develop his hands to become a reliable piece of the rotation.

Meanwhile, Troy Fautanu was flagged during a team period for a false start. He’s had a handful of pre-snap penalties early in camp.

Metcalf’s grab

The loudest ovation of the evening came during a seven-on-seven period. Wide receiver Metcalf and corner Asante Samuel Jr. ran down the sideline stride for stride. Metcalf reached out and reeled in a pass one-handed. He maintained possession as he tumbled to the turf.

Samuel and Metcalf have had some competitive battles during camp. While Samuel didn’t win this round, on many occasions, the 5-foot-10 defensive back has used technique and ball skills to keep himself in good position against the towering 6-4 Metcalf. The DB was in good position on this play, it was just an even better catch.

In addition to Metcalf’s catch, tight end Robert Tonyan made a nice adjustment to reel in a pass from Howard during a third- and fourth-down period. The former Green Bay Packers tight end has a strong case to stick around in some way.

It’s just a matter of whether they can fit him on the 53-man roster or if he’ll sneak through to the practice squad.

Mike DeFabo / The Athletic

One-on-one OL vs. DL

While Metcalf’s circus catch on one side of the field had the fans’ attention, the other side is where the team’s repeated investments in the trenches worked out. Some highlights from the one-on-one OL vs. DL drills included:

• Keeanu Benton powered past right guard Spencer Anderson for one of the most decisive wins of the period. Benton, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, has been in pads throughout camp but didn’t take part in live team drills the last couple days. He had a wrap on his right hand but appears to be fine. Despite what the depth chart showed, he’s largely practiced as the starting nose tackle in the base defense.
• The excitement surrounding first-round pick Max Iheanachor has overshadowed Dylan Cook’s steady training camp. Cook had two competitive reps against T.J. Watt. The way Cook has played, the Steelers should feel fairly comfortable if he’s the starter in Week 1.
• Alex Highsmith’s spin move is in mid-season form. He set it up perfectly and beat Fautanu for a quick win.
• Derrick Harmon is everyone’s prediction for a breakout player in 2026. He hit right guard Brock Hoffman with a push-pull move, violently striking the offensive lineman to get him off balance and then pulling as he swam past.

More off-ball from Herbig

The Steelers continue to show new ways to get linebacker Nick Herbig on the field more often, which sometimes means lining him up off the ball. In one situation, the Steelers had just one interior defensive lineman on the field (Harmon), along with their top three outside linebackers (Watt, Highsmith and Herbig).

In another situation, Herbig was off the ball behind a four-down front. When receiver Roman Wilson shifted into the slot, Herbig motioned out with him. The linebacker did a nice job of staying with Wilson in coverage, then coming off to bottle up a pass into the flat to Warren.

Herbig’s speed has been his best attribute, helping him secure a $100 million extension as an edge rusher. The way new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is using Herbig takes advantage of that speed in a different kind of way.

Injury notes

Offseason addition Michael Pittman Jr. left practice during a seven-on-seven period; the training staff briefly examined his leg area. He remained on the field throughout the rest of the practice and was holding his helmet, so there shouldn’t be major concern as of now. However, it is something to monitor.

Players not in pads included: Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Eli Heidenreich, Brandin Echols, Max Iheanachor, Steven Jones, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Logan Lee, Jaquan Brisker.