Steelers' Day 1 Training Camp Recap: Quarterbacks Struggle, Rookie Receivers and Cornerbacks Seize Attention

The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially off and running in their preparations for the 2022 season. Although fans were able to catch earlier glimpses of the new additions to Pittsburgh in rookie minicamp and OTA’s, training camp is where things get ratcheted up and every player is thrown under a microscope to determine their employment status for the ensuing months ahead.

Wednesday kicked off the 2022 training camp campaign for the Steelers. Unlike the past two seasons, the Steelers were back at the historic confines of Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. With fans back to lining the paved walkway down to the practice fields and shouting the name of every player walking down, there was finally a righteous sense of ‘back-to-normalcy’ on campus. However, with this being the first camp in Latrobe without Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Joe Haden, and other key contributors from the previous Latrobe camp, fans’ eyes were watching their replacements.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10) takes a snap under center at training camp while Cam Sutton (#20) lines up inside. (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)

Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from Wednesday’s first Steelers practice:

The Good

Rookie receiver George Pickens started to turn more heads on Wednesday. Pickens lined up outside, thus moving Chase Claypool inside to the slot position. He saw a lot of action against presumed starters on secondary being Cam Sutton and Levi Wallace. Pickens showed he can extend the field and high-point the ball away from the defenders. Pickens saw a lot of time with Mitch Trubisky and started to show the beginnings of some potential chemistry between the two first-year Steelers.

Paired with Pickens was the other Steelers rookie wide receiver, Calvin Austin III. Austin III was drafted for his speed and shiftiness and he showed off on a wide receiver screen play and took the ball down the field for a touchdown on the 7-on-7 drills. While it is only the first practice, there seems to be a clear objective in how the Steelers are looking to integrate Austin III in the offense.

With the quarterback competition in full effect, today was a big day for each quarterback to stand out from the rest of the field: enter, Mason Rudolph. In his first series with the first team offense, Rudolph went 4 for 4. Included in that was a strong presence and poise in the pocket and was patient in making reads and getting the ball out of his hands. He made a nice pass to Gunner Olszewski for a big gain on a crossing route and tossed the pass to Austin III that was taken for a touchdown. Rudolph showed he’s coming hard for the starting quarterback spot and took a major step in proving it.

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The Steelers defense is coming into camp knowing the team’s success in 2022 is likely to fall on their shoulders. Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt each looked in mid-season form and ready to take the new season by the horns. But among the bigger names, it was Carlins Platel who grabbed a lot of attention in today’s practice. Platel ended practice by intercepting a short-armed Kenny Pickett pass and celebrated with the defense as a result.

Platel was signed as a UDFA rookie out of the University of South Carolina and is competing for the inside slot corner position. If today is any indication as to what fans can expect from him, he may be what the Steelers have been missing since the departure of Mike Hilton.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) drops back in a passing drill at training camp. (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)

The Bad

As I alluded to, the optimism surrounding new quarterbacks Trubisky and Pickett was a bit short lived. Pickett looked how you would expect a rookie to be at his first ‘real’ practice. Although he made some nice throws, Pickett left a lot of throws out on the field. He seemed a bit rushed at times and misread a lot of coverages in the secondary. This was evident in his interception to Platel.

Trubisky also started rough in his first team session, but relaxed throughout drills and ended the day on a high note.  After missing his first two throws, Trubisky was able to complete his first pass across the middle to Claypool. Rudolph was arguably the winner at quarterback on day one with Pickett and Trubisky still finding their legs in Latrobe.

Pittsburgh Steelers UDFA rookie cornerback, Carlins Platel participates in drills in training camp. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)

The Ugly

For the second year in a row, the Steelers look to have another ‘hold-in’ in training camp this year. Last year was in the form of Watt, and this year comes in the form of receiver, Diontae Johnson.

Johnson is in the final year of his rookie contract and is seeking an extension. Not to mention, seeing the big money that has been thrown around across the league this off-season to other receivers, Johnson is looking to earn around that same level. This led to Johnson standing without a helmet for the day’s practice watching the other first-teamers work. After practice, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Johnson seemed to contradict each other in explaining the situation.

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In addition to the surprising off-season injury to Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Steelers injury report started to grow on Wednesday. Key special teams contributor, Miles Killebrew suffered a pectoral injury Wednesday and is being evaluated. Outside linebacker T.D. Moultry was facing his fair share of cramps throughout the practice, but Tomlin didn’t express any concern surrounding them.

Join us each day after practice to catch up on the day's action!

What were you watching for in Wednesday's practice? What are you looking for in the coming days? Let us know in the comments below!

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