Steelers training camp observations: Broderick Jones, Drew Allar have bounce-back performances under the lights - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Under the lights at a sold-out Latrobe Memorial Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers shifted their traditional Friday night practice to Saturday under new head coach Mike McCarthy, drawing an audience of 8,499 fans. While the venue still hummed with the usual regional electricity—featuring spirited signs for rookie lineman Gennings Dunker and a physical camp atmosphere—the competitive periods laid bare the early growing pains of a transitioning playbook. The marquee moment arrived during a surprise team drill that McCarthy previously called a mojo moment in Dallas and has since rebranded as the Franco moment. During this sequence near midfield, Aaron Rodgers saw his very first pass intercepted by cornerback Jamel Dean, who returned it for a touchdown after targeting receiver Roman Wilson in the left flat.

The defensive pressure did not stop with the veteran starter. The entire offensive unit struggled to find traction in the drill, going 0 for 3 as backups Mason Rudolph and Will Howard similarly failed to generate scoring drives. Rookie cornerback Daylen Everette narrowly missed intercepting Rudolph, while a botched handoff between Howard and running back Lew Nichols ended in a fumble recovered by Kevin Jobity Jr. The second-team offense also watched a 45-yard field goal attempt from rookie kicker Laith Marjan drift wide left. Despite these early hiccups, individual playmakers still managed to ignite the sellout crowd with flashes of brilliance against tight coverage.

Among the offensive highlights, wide receiver DK Metcalf delivered the practice’s most electrifying sequence by hauling in a deep ball from Rodgers while tightly guarded by cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., managing to secure both feet inbounds. Tight end Darnell Washington also stretched the defense on a cross-formation route, pulling in a well-placed throw near the sideline despite heavy attention from linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Rayshawn Jenkins.

The physical afternoon unfolded without traditional crowd-pleasers like the backs-on-backers or goal-line drills favored by former coach Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher, reflecting McCarthy's more measured approach to training camp conditioning that completely eliminates live tackling. Several key players watched from the sidelines due to injuries, including first-round draft pick Max Iheanachor, who sat out following an injury earlier in the week, alongside Brandin Echols, who sported a protective boot on his left foot and ankle.