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Lew Nichols Lew Nichols Links up with Steelers
Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 2:23 PM
Pittsburgh signed Nichols on Tuesday.
Analysis: Nichols spent time on the Eagles' practice squad during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, though he never got a chance to make his regular-season NFL debut with the team. He now gets a chance to compete during training camp with the Steelers. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Returns to practice
Mon, Jul 28, 2025, 11:20 AM
Smith (undisclosed) did team drills at practice Sunday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: A minor, unspecified injury limited Smith's involvement in the first few practices of training camp. The real concern for this season is how snaps and targets will be split between him and fellow Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, after Smith came over from Miami in a late June trade. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Not doing much at practice
Fri, Jul 25, 2025, 3:48 PM
Smith (undisclosed) did limited individual drills at Friday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday that Smith is considered day to day with an unspecified injury. Acquired in a late-June trade, Smith has only done light individual work during his first two practices in Pittsburgh. He and Pat Freiermuth give the Steelers an impressive pass-catching duo at tight end, but it remains to be seen if one of the two can take a large enough share of the targets to be worth starting in fantasy. Smith caught fire for Miami last October and stayed hot through the end of the year, ultimately catching more passes over the final eight games (53) than he'd caught in any of his previous seven NFL seasons (max. 50). His second-best receiving campaign was the year before, 2023 in Atlanta, where he put up 50-582-3 on 70 targets under current Steelers playcaller Arthur Smith. |
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Kaleb Johnson Kaleb Johnson Getting some first-team reps
Fri, Jul 25, 2025, 12:06 PM
Johnson was the second running back in with the first-team offense at Thursday's practice, after Jaylen Warren, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: It's just one practice, but nonetheless a good sign that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is preparing Johnson to replace Najee Harris. The Steelers don't have Cordarrelle Patterson (undisclosed) available at the start of training camp, leaving free-agent signings Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon as the veterans for competing for backup roles. The Steelers hope Johnson will end up pushing Warren for more first-team snaps, rather than struggling during camp and worrying about Gainwell/Patterson/Sermon nipping at his heels. |
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Cordarrelle Patterson Cordarrelle Patterson Doesn't practice Thursday
Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 4:54 PM
Patterson (undisclosed) did not participate in individual or team drills during the Steelers' first training camp practice Thursday, Jacob Punturi of SI.com reports.
Analysis: Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that Patterson is considered day-to-day, though the specifics of the injury were not shared. Patterson is entering his second season with the Steelers, and the veteran figures to resume his role as a versatile playmaker in the offense. He finished the 2024 regular season with 32 carries for 135 yards and 12 catches (on 14 targets) for 80 yards and one touchdown across 13 games. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Considered day-to-day
Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 3:54 PM
Smith (undisclosed) didn't participate in team drills during Thursday's practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The report notes that Smith worked in individual drills, with coach Mike Tomlin noting that the tight end is considered "day-to-day" with an unspecified injury. Once Smith is able to work fully, he'll look to build chemistry with QB Aaron Rodgers, while working as part of the Steelers' 1-2 TE punch, which also features Pat Freiermuth. |
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Roman Wilson Roman Wilson Opens camp with starting offense
Thu, Jul 24, 2025, 2:02 PM
Wilson opened training camp with the starting offense Thursday, Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live reports.
Analysis: Wilson and DK Metcalf took the first reps in both 11 and 12 personnel, with Calvin Austin as the third receiver for three-wide sets (the same role he had last year). It's a sign the Steelers still have high hopes for Wilson, a 2024 third-round pick, after he was either injured or a healthy scratch for nearly all of his rookie season. In addition to Wilson and Austin, the competition for WR snaps behind Metcalf includes Robert Woods, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek. |
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Calvin Austin Calvin Austin Leading candidate for WR2 spot
Thu, Jul 3, 2025, 9:48 AM
Steelers receivers coach Zach Azzani recently said "that [WR2] spot is all [Austin's] right now," Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The Steelers reworked their wideout room over the offseason, jettisoning George Pickens in a trade while also letting Van Jefferson walk in free agency. DK Metcalf was acquired from Seattle, and Pittsburgh also signed 33-year-old Robert Woods. However, it sounds like Austin has a significant lead on Woods and second-year WR Roman Wilson for the starting gig opposite Metcalf. Austin had a breakout 2024 campaign, posting a 36-548-4 receiving line on 58 targets while playing in all 17 regular-season games, averaging a robust 15.2 yards per catch. Following the Steelers' acquisition of Jonnu Smith, this looks like an offense that is going to feature two tight ends in Smith and Pat Freiermuth, as opposed to three wide receivers, so the winner of the WR2 job stands to see far more playing time than the Steelers' third and fourth receivers. |
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Pat Freiermuth Pat Freiermuth Joined by Jonnu Smith
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 12:53 PM
Freiermuth will play alongside fellow tight end Jonnu Smith after the Steelers traded for Smith on Monday, Steelers Now reports.
Analysis: Coming off an 88-catch breakout campaign while playing in all 17 regular-season games, Smith represents a threat to Freiermuth's playing time in 11 personnel even if they can work together symbiotically in multi-TE formations. Freiermuth is entering the first season of a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension, while Smith just signed a one-year, $12 million extension through 2026. Both tight ends will find it difficult to approach their 2024 volume, competing against each other (and WR DK Metcalf) for targets from a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers in Arthur Smith's run-first offense. |
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Jonnu Smith Jonnu Smith Traded to Pittsburgh
Mon, Jun 30, 2025, 10:12 AM
The Dolphins are trading Smith, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Smith was said to be unhappy with his contract in Miami following last year's career highs for catches, yards and touchdowns. A move to Pittsburgh reunites him with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who was the head coach in Atlanta when Jonnu Smith played there. It isn't an especially promising move for Smith's fantasy value, as the Steelers likely will run the ball a lot and already have Pat Freiermuth at tight end. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Anticipates retiring after 2025
Tue, Jun 24, 2025, 11:54 AM
Rodgers said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show he's "pretty sure" the 2025 season will be his last in the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: "I'm pretty sure this is my last season and that's why we did the one-year deal," Rodgers said, referring to the one-year, $13.65 million contract he inked early June. The relatively team-friendly deal for Pittsburgh includes $10 million in guaranteed money and carries a maximum value of $19.5 million, with no cap hit lingering beyond the 2025 campaign. Rodgers, who turns 42 in December, said there's "no better way" to finish his career than with the Steelers, a team that earned a 10-7 record and playoff berth with a combination of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson under center in 2024, before being eliminated in the Wild Card round by Baltimore. With the hope of improved quarterback play from Rodgers, who Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports already began establishing a rapport with new top wideout DK Metcalf at mandatory minicamp, Pittsburgh indeed appears well-positioned to make some noise in the AFC in what is shaping up to be the veteran signal-caller's swan song. |
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DK Metcalf DK Metcalf Building chemistry with Rodgers
Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 1:20 PM
Metcalf said at mandatory minicamp that while establishing a rapport with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the veteran signal-caller's "playmaking ability after a play breaks down" and "how quickly he releases the ball" have both stood out, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Since being dealt to Pittsburgh and signing a five-year, $150 million deal with his new team, Metcalf's outlook has improved significantly. The Steelers' signing of Rodgers to a one-year deal provides Metcalf with short-term stability at quarterback plus a signal-caller with the necessary timing to complement the strengths of his route tree. Moreover, the decision to trade George Pickens to Dallas leaves Metcalf entrenched as the unquestioned top target in the Steelers' passing game, with all of Robert Woods, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson and TE Pat Freiermuth as ancillary options. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith also indicated that his usual run-heavy tendencies could shift in 2025, saying "we didn't bring [Rodgers] in here and sign [Metcalf] for all that money to go run the wishbone," and that "you try to play to the strengths of your team." |
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Will Howard Will Howard Set to learn from Rodgers as rookie
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 10:50 AM
Howard is slated to begin the 2025 season as the Steelers' No. 3 quarterback after the team signed Aaron Rodgers on Saturday, Jacob Punturi of SI.com reports.
Analysis: After winning the national championship during his lone season at Ohio State in 2024, Howard was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Rodgers and the Steelers had been continually linked in rumors during the offseason, but if a deal between the two sides hadn't materialized, Howard could have had an opportunity to compete with Mason Rudolph for a starting role. Instead, Howard will turn his focus toward a developmental role in 2025, but Rodgers said Tuesday that he plans to help the rookie as much as possible this season. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph Set to operate as backup in 2025
Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 10:41 AM
Rudolph is set to open the 2025 season in a backup capacity for the Steelers after the team signed Aaron Rodgers on Saturday, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Analysis: Rudolph opened OTAs as the Steelers' No. 1 option at quarterback, but Rodgers had been continually linked to the team during the offseason. A one-year deal between Rodgers and Pittsburgh finally materialized Saturday, meaning that Rudolph will be left to compete with Will Howard for the team's No. 2 quarterback job ahead of the 2025 campaign. Rudolph will likely continue to handle a slightly elevated role for the remainder of OTAs while Rodgers acclimates to the team. However, Rudolph expressed openness to the impending move to a backup role, especially once training camp begins next month. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Getting $13.65 million
Sat, Jun 7, 2025, 1:13 PM
Rodgers signed his one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The deal between Pittsburgh and the veteran quarterback came together late in the week and is now official. Per Schefter, Rodgers' contract includes $10 million in guaranteed money and has a maximum value of $19.5 million. It's a significant step down from what he could have made with the Jets, as Rodgers was slated to earn $37.5 million had he remained in New York. |
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Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers Deal made official
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 11:07 PM
Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Thursday.
Analysis: News broke earlier in the day that Rodgers had informed the Steelers of his intention to sign with the team and report for mandatory minicamp next week. However, the deal is now official, and he'll ascend to the top of a previously uninspiring quarterback depth chart in Pittsburgh. Though Rodgers is well past his prime both in on-field and fantasy contributions, his arrival should be good news for the likes of DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth. |
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Donald Parham Donald Parham Moves to reserve/injured list
Thu, Jun 5, 2025, 6:34 PM
Parham (Achilles) was placed on the reserve/injured list by the Steelers on Thursday, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The tight end tore his Achilles during OTAs on Tuesday, but this move confirms that he's out for the season. Parham signed with the Steelers in February, spent most of 2024 on Denver's practice squad and last caught an NFL pass in 2023 with the Chargers. That was also his best season, when he grabbed 27 passes for 285 yards and four scores. |
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Donald Parham Donald Parham Suffers torn Achilles in OTAs
Tue, Jun 3, 2025, 7:02 PM
Parham tore his Achilles during OTAs on Tuesday and will likely miss the 2025 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Parham signed with the Steelers in late February after spending most of last season on Denver's practice squad. The veteran tight end logged a career-high 27 catches for 285 yards and four touchdowns over 14 regular-season games with the Chargers in 2023 but hasn't appeared in an NFL contest since. He was slated to compete for a depth role with the Steelers behind starting TE Pat Friermuth, but Parham now isn't likely to take the field again until 2026. |
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Mason Rudolph Mason Rudolph Opens OTAs as No. 1 QB
Wed, May 28, 2025, 9:58 AM
Rudolph operated as Pittsburgh's top quarterback during Tuesday's opening OTAs practice, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Rudolph spent the 2024 campaign in Tennessee before reuniting with the Steelers on a two-year, $7.5 million contract early in free agency, and he currently appears comfortable as the leader of a quarterback room that also houses rookie sixth-rounder Will Howard and former Dolphins third-stringer Skylar Thompson. While Rudolph boasts familiarity with coach Mike Tomlin and has played at a capable level with Pittsburgh in the past, he faces the challenge of adapting to a new scheme under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, as well as building chemistry with new top wideout DK Metcalf, who was absent from Tuesday's practice. The Steelers remain linked to free agent Aaron Rodgers through rumor and speculation, but nothing official has yet materialized beyond the veteran having visited with the team in March. |
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Trey Sermon Trey Sermon Set to join Pittsburgh
Sun, May 11, 2025, 11:45 AM
The Steelers are signing Sermon to a one-year contract, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: Sermon was a third-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2021, but he's yet to make a major impact at the NFL level. The 26-year-old spent the past two seasons with Indianapolis, and he logged a career-high 236 offensive snaps over 17 regular-season games last year, though he averaged just 2.8 yards on 56 carries while scoring a career-high two rushing touchdowns. Sermon also logged 99 yards on 16 catches and contributed on special teams late in the campaign. With Najee Harris now with the Chargers, Pittsburgh has rebuilt its running back room behind returning starter Jaylen Warren, adding both Sermon and Kenneth Gainwell in free agency along with third-round draft choice Kaleb Johnson. |
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