2025 Steelers Training Camp Takeaways #1: Aaron Rodgers has to find his footing, Jalen Ramsey is a wildcard, and an early injury

Offensive takeaways

• Steelers' first team skill group when in 11 personnel featured Aaron Rodgers at QB, Jaylen Warren as the starting RB, Pat Freiermuth at TE, and a WR grouping of DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson
• Starting offenisive line with Isaac Seumalo injured was Broderick Jones (LT) Spencer Anderson (LG), Zach Frazier (C), Mason McCormick (RG), Troy Fautanu (RT)
• Will Howard was the fourth team quarterback with Skylar Thompson, Mason Rudolph, and Aaron Rodgers all in front of him
• Rodgers and Metcalf suffer early miscommunication issues
• Kaleb Johnson is smooth and fast
• Jonnu Smith exits practice in street clothes 

What it means 

It's not a surprise to see Rodgers or Warren as the starters, but Roman Wilson gathering WR#3 reps opposed to Robert Woods shows that the Steelers envision him as their starting slot WR right now, with Metcalf and Austin outside. 

Spencer Anderson is a versatile chess piece on the line and he will fill in for Seumalo as he rehabs his injury. The rest of the line grouping within the first team offense was to be expected. 

The Steelers are telling you that Will Howard is going to have to earn it if he wants playing time. It's not uncommon for the Steelers to start rookies at the bottom of the totem pole, so we will see how he progresses throughout camp. 

Rodgers started things out in the team period with an interception, but it didn't exactly get much prettier. He and his new WR#1 struggled to get on the same page per video. Again, it's only day one, however. 

Jaylen Warren won't give up the RB #1 role without a fight, but it was clear that Kaleb Johnson was fast, per video. That matches his tape, where once he gets vertical, it's over. 

As for Jonnu Smith, he was seen catching passes in the early portions of practice but he wasn't around for the team period and was then seen in street clothes. Mike Tomlin told the media after practice that Smith is day-to-day.  

Defensive Takeaways  

• Jalen Ramsey took reps at slot corner, outside corner and free safety, all within about five plays per reports
• T.J. Watt moves around the line of scrimmage a ton
• Derrick Harmon makes a couple plays

What it means 

The Steelers didn't trade for Ramsey to be static. He is going to be dynamic in their scheme, evidenced by the variety of positions he played on day one. His multiplicity will only help the defense in the long run. 

More news in terms of dynamics, T.J. Watt was seen moving around the front seven, a new wrinkle to his spot in front of the opposing RT. 

It's tough to judge anything from offensive and defensive lineman until the pads come on, but it's fairly obvious that Harmon would have made some plays behind the line of scrimmage if they were suited up.