2025 Steelers Camp Recap - Day 1 Notes

We are officially back.

After a summer filled with trades and blockbuster deals, the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their first training camp session on a blistering afternoon on Chuck Noll Field at St. Vincent College.

Just as he did on several occasions last year, linebacker Payton Wilson was the first to take the field—setting the tone for what many expect to be one of the most eventful training camps in recent memory.

Today's training camp storylines include, an offensive lineman getting first-team opportunities, the lineup of first-team receivers, and a backup QB that isn't going quietly.

It's that time of the year again so, let's go!

Injury Report

As announced by head coach Mike Tomlin, veteran guard Isaac Seumalo is currently on the team's Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list with a soft tissue injury. At this juncture, there is no clear timetable for his return to action.

Following today's session, Tomlin announced that both tight end Jonnu Smith and running back Cordarrelle Patterson were day-to-day with undisclosed injuries.

Day 1 Camp Notes -

Anderson taking first-team reps

With Seumalo sidelined indefinitely, offensive lineman Spencer Anderson was spotted taking first-team reps at guard during walkthroughs. For the third-year pro out of Maryland, this marks a major opportunity—it’s now his position to lose as training camp heats up.

First-team receivers on Day 1

Per Steelers analyst Nick Farabaugh of "Penn Live", the first-team receiving unit consisted of Roman Wilson, D.K Metcalf, and Calvin Austin III. Baring any injuries, this could potentially be the unit when they face the New York Jets in Week 1.

Patrick Queen Making An Impression

On check-in day, Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen made it clear he planned to make an impression this season—and he wasted no time backing that up. During the first 11-on-11 session, Queen jumped a route and picked off Aaron Rodgers on a pass intended for Metcalf. It was a tone-setting play in a session where the first-team offense struggled to find its rhythm against a sharp and aggressive first-team defense.

Mason Rudolph Has A Solid Day

During the second 11-on-11 session, backup quarterback Mason Rudolph stepped in and delivered a series of timely completions. While his name hasn’t surfaced much with Rodgers commanding the spotlight, performances like this could earn him more reps as camp progresses. Don’t count him out just yet.

Promising Running Backs

As confirmed in Farabaugh’s report, Jaylen Warren opened training camp as the first-team running back—and he made his presence felt early, bursting up the middle for a big gain during team drills. Not to be outshined, rookie Kaleb Johnson answered with an explosive run off the left side just a few plays later. Johnson continued to impress throughout the day, breaking off several big runs during various team sessions.

It’s an encouraging early glimpse of what both backs could bring to the offense in the weeks ahead.

Rodgers And Metcalf Have Chemistry Issue

With many expecting fireworks between Rodgers and Metcalf on Day 1, what unfolded was anything but. The duo struggled to find rhythm during team drills, often appearing out of sync. Still, don’t expect that to last—this connection has all the makings of something explosive as camp rolls on."