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Pittsburgh Steelers will receive a welcomed test against one of the NFL's best offenses without having to play a game

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 1:15 PM ET

Forever, the Pittsburgh Steelers were not a team involved in joint practices.

That changed last year, when the Steelers took on the Buffalo Bills ahead of their preseason game.

And now, the Steelers will be doing it again, and against one of the NFL's best offenses...

Steelers to have joint practice with Buccaneers ahead of preseason game

“We’re working on having joint practices with two of them – the Titans and the Steelers,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told Pewter Report.

The best part about the joint practices is that teams have full authority over how they go. Unlike a live setting, even in an exhibition like a preseason game, the teams often dictate terms.

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QBs are always off limits, and often times, the whistle will blow when "thuds" (simply hitting someone but not taking them to the ground) occur opposed to actual tackles. The controlled environment isn't the only advantage, however.

The Steelers' starting defense will be tested against Baker Mayfeld and one of the league's best skill groupings via Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan.

But the traditional worry of getting burned or beaten goes out the window. Last year, the Steelers and Bills didn't allow the media to record any clips. Add in the fact that the practice means literally nothing, and you can see why the Steelers won't be afraid to get exotic in their looks and test some plays and personnel packages they otherwise wouldn't.

So for the Steelers, it's a win-win. You can get your best players in a controlled environment, and with little to no worry about physical injury occurring, or at least not from tackles. Hopefully, the Steelers will also have all their QB answers solved by then as well.

We'll see if Pittsburgh can make the most of the event.