Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — The Steelers offense had probably its best day of training camp on Tuesday, winning in seven shots in demonstrative fashion and moving the ball as freely and competently as they have all season.
So why is the above headline about the defense?
Throughout the first two weeks of training camp, the defense has taken the offense’s lunch money whenever it wanted to. They’ve been the schoolyard bullies they’re supposed to be, and while most defenses are ahead of most offenses at this time of year, it brought out concerns about Arthur Smith’s unit.
Is the Steelers defense really that good, or is the offense just going to be awful? When they’re going head to head every day, sometimes it’s hard to tell.
But Tuesday, we got a peak behind the curtain.
Alex Highsmith missed practice with an injury. Joey Porter Jr. performed only in individual periods as he works back from a hand injury. Jalen Ramsey was given the day off. T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward took minimal, if any, team reps.
The defense was fighting with one hand tied behind its back. But this is a very deep defense, and the second unit isn’t exactly scrubs. Echols, Chuck Clark, Nick Herbig and Derrick Harmon can still do a lot of damage. But without the defense’s top stars, the offense thrived.
So, I think we learned a good bit on Tuesday. Yes, the Steelers’ defense is that good, when healthy and fully assembled. And when facing something other than a Monstars-level defensive lineup, the Steelers offense looks just fine.
Considering their lack of depth at the wide receiver position, the Steelers really need a big year out of second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson. But their need might not necessarily be what Wilson is able to provide as this point in his development curve.
Wilson has the skills to be a useful NFL receiver in 2025. He showed some of that on Tuesday. When Aaron Rodgers extended a play, he beat James Pierre to an open spot in the back of the end zone for a touchdown in seven shots. Their connection seems to be growing, and that’s a huge positive.
Later in practice, Arthur Smith schemed Wilson into a mismatch with Nick Herbig, who he torched up the left sideline. Those kinds of slot receiver duties are probably the best fit for Wilson’s skillset.
But the Steelers have Calvin Austin III in the slot. What they really need is someone to go outside along with DK Metcalf.
In that alignment later in practice, Wilson lined up against Brandin Echols, ran a deep dig and Rodgers delivered the ball. Echols was all over him. He basically ran the route for Wilson. Echols might’ve been committing some pass interference when he broke up the pass that ended up in a tip-drill interception for Juan Thornhill, but he was showcasing one of the issues with using Wilson how the Steelers need to: he...
