Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The first pass Aaron Rodgers threw in a team practice as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers was intercepted by Patrick Queen on Thursday, part of a kick-the-rust off first day from the veteran quarterback that had many sky-is-falling takes coming from the fanbase.
Rodgers responded after practice with a hilarious line, saying “I’m going to throw some picks, but I’m going to throw some touchdowns too.”
He did just that on Friday, making an absolutely picture-perfect throw to DK Metcalf during the team’s seven shots goal line period. It was one of the prettier training camp touchdowns of recent memory, and the face of head coach Mike Tomlin when he talked about it tells more of the story than the words he used.
#Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a great reaction when asked about a pretty TD from Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf today: pic.twitter.com/mm17GX8X5a
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) July 25, 2025
“That’s what I anticipate,” he said. “You know, I’m not going to throw a pep rally. That’s what I expect. That’s what I envisioned all summer.”
Metcalf, Rodgers, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are all new to one another. There are going to be days like Thursday and there are going to be days like Friday. There’s no reason to think that two elite talents won’t be able to get on the same page by the time the games count.
“It’s going to ebb and flow,” Tomlin said. “I don’t ride the emotional roller coaster on day two. We’re going to keep snapping it.”
The Steelers signed veteran safety Chuck Clark hours before practice, but he didn’t take a warming up period. Not only was Clark on the field for the start of practice, he took a good amount of reps with the second and third-team defenses.
“He’s a veteran player, a guy that’s an experienced in the NFL, a guy that we’re familiar with from competing against him. So, excited about getting him in the fold and giving him an opportunity.”
A Virginia Tech alum, Clark played six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens from 2017-22. He missed all of 2023 with an ACL injury, but returned to make 12 starts for the New York Jets last season, including a game against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. That familiarity is one of the reasons Tomlin did not hesitate to call on Clark with a need at safety.
“I’m just highly familiar with his intangibles,” Tomlin said. “He’s got a really good relationship with the game. He’s a hard worker. He’s a really good communicator. His football character comes highly recommended.”
There’s been plenty of social media chatter about the play of Steelers left tackle Broderick Jones through two days. Jones, the team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has yet to live up to his draft position through two seasons, and is now being moved to the more-difficult left tackle...
