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Steelers' Troy Fautanu Admits To Internal Beef That Has Been Obvious Throughout Training Camp
NFL

Steelers' Troy Fautanu Admits To Internal Beef That Has Been Obvious Throughout Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been easing their way into training camp ahead of the 2025 season. The players have just been wearing helmets and shorts, and the pads will come on soon. Pittsburgh's training camp is always known as being one of the most intense in the league, and that is because Head Coach Mike Tomlin has his team go full contact, which is something other coaches around the NFL try to avoid. The pads will come on on Tuesday, and fans should expect to see some skirmishes as emotions rise throughout the rest of camp. Practices in just helmets and shorts are difficult for the big guys in the trenches. It is essentially impossible to simulate blocking without pads on, so the defenders and offensive linemen are itching for when the team gets to go full contact. Second-year offensive lineman Troy Fautanu spoke to the media on Sunday, and he shared how things have been going at practice, while also noting that the two sides of the ball have been going at it. "You know, there's a lot of banter going on between the offense and the defense right now." Fautanu said. "As you guys could tell yesterday, things got a little rowdy. I mean, that's something that's normal. I'm super excited just to finally be able to play real football, because as an offensive lineman it's the worst thing to play football in shorts and t-shirts." Fautanu is probably itching to get back to full contact more than others after missing nearly all of his rookie season in 2024. He played in one game in Week 2 before suffering a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of the year. Tuesday will be the first time he gets to put the pads on and get truly physical in nearly a year. The way he described things, it sounds like there will probably be some confrontations as the offense and defense have already been going at it. Training camp is going to be a true test for Fautanu. He is the team's starting right tackle going into the season, and the organization is relying on the offensive line to take a step forward. He needs to try to live up to his first-round label, and he is going to have to do so while blocking TJ Watt in every practice. Watt is going to be moving around the defensive formation more often than usual, but most of his snaps will come when he is lined up over the right tackle. Fautanu is going to be tested on every snap, and if he can handle Watt, he can handle anyone in the league. Having to go up against Watt every day in practice is good for Fautanu in the long run. Practicing against the best is only going to make him better, and he won't have to block anyone during the 2025 regular season that is as good of a pass rusher as Watt. Steelers' Fautanu Could Solidify 2024 Draft For Pittsburgh It is already looking like the Steelers made a ton of right decisions during the 2024 NFL Draft. Zach Frazier had a spectacular rookie season in 2024, and he is looking like he could be one of the best centers in the league. Mason McCormick was a pleasant surprise at right tackle when he was thrust into the starting lineup, and it seems he has gotten considerably better over the course of the 2025 offseason. If Fautanu can prove he is the starting right tackle of the future for the Steelers, then the organization would have nailed three cornerstones of the franchise in just one draft. All contenders have solid offensive lines, and it looks like the Steelers might have one that could be great in the near future.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin expands on ending training-camp holdout
NFL

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin expands on ending training-camp holdout

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin had been holding out of training camp but reported Sunday. McLaurin was fined $200K ($50K per day) for skipping four days of camp. The fines, however, aren't the only reason he returned to the team's facility in Ashburn, Va. He also missed spending time with fans and teammates. According to ESPN's John Keim, supporters chanted his name at Sunday's practice, and the WR later signed autographs for approximately 30 minutes. "It feels good to be around my teammates and around the fans," the WR said, per Keim. "I can't beat that at all. They showed me a lot of love and support. You lose sight of something when the business gets involved, but I never lost sight of the way they supported me. It's business, but it has nothing to do with them." While it's a positive for the Commanders that McLaurin is no longer holding out, it's fair to wonder whether contract negotiations will continue to drag on. The WR is entering the final year of his deal and seeking an extension. (He's set to make $15.5M this season.) McLaurin and the team have made little progress in negotiations thus far. The two-time Pro Bowler recorded a career-high 13 touchdown catches in 17 games last season, but his age could be a concern for the Commanders. McLaurin turns 30 on Sept. 15. He's already injured as well. McLaurin is starting training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list because of an ankle issue. The WR is aiming to make a quick recovery and insists his age shouldn't be a factor in contract negotiations. McLaurin said the Commanders should view it on a "case-by-case" basis. McLaurin has been one of the NFL's more consistent pass-catchers, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in five of his first six seasons with Washington. Now that he's back with the team, perhaps that will remind the Commanders why they love having him around. That could expedite contract talks.

Steelers Allowing Important Defender To Leave In Free Agency Is Looking Like A Huge Mistake
NFL

Steelers Allowing Important Defender To Leave In Free Agency Is Looking Like A Huge Mistake

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not shy away from completely revamping the roster throughout the 2025 offseason. Both sides of the ball have seen significant change, which has left some wondering if the entire collective can build enough rapport before the meaningful games begin come September. The franchise will rely on the defense once again, while hoping that the offense can see improved results with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers under center. There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered as the team works its way through training camp in Latrobe. One defensive unit that will be interesting to watch is the inside linebackers. Patrick Queen is going to look to improve after one year in the black and gold, and he will be accompanied by Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison. The most intriguing player of the bunch is probably Holcomb, as the veteran is expected to return after missing the entirety of the 2024 campaign following a devastating 2023 knee injury. Some could argue that bringing Holcomb back was a mistake, given that he may be extremely rusty once the regular season begins. A strong trio of Queen, Wilson and former Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts may have made more sense. Instead, Roberts signed a deal in free agency with the Las Vegas Raiders. The defender's new head coach, Pete Carroll, is noticing that Roberts is an incredible asset, which may lead to the Steelers regretting letting him leave. "I'm really impressed with what Elandon Roberts has brought us in terms of leadership and guidance and mentality and all of that, and so, we're kind of feeding off of him a little bit," Carroll said. "I'm anxious to see how that spreads with Devin White and Germaine [Pratt] coming in and those guys at the linebacker spot. It's a pretty exciting group." Holcomb is a big question mark for Pittsburgh's defense, mainly because he hasn't played competitively in so long. It was largely believed that he would be cut at some point, but it appears as if the organization believes he can still play at a high level. If an injury were to occur to either Queen or Wilson, the preferable number three option wouldn't be someone who hasn't played in nearly 20 months. Carroll's praise of Roberts highlights that the linebacker would have been a big-time asset once again in Pittsburgh during the 2025 season. Time will tell if allowing Roberts to leave in free agency was a mistake, but he is already turning heads in Las Vegas. Carroll is a veteran coach who knows when talent is right in front of him. It's clear that he is currently seeing that with Roberts. One of the craziest parts of the situation is that Roberts signed just a one-year deal valued at roughly $3 million. He was incredibly affordable, but the Steelers passed on bringing him back anyway. Holcomb's contract was restructured to keep him around, but Pittsburgh knows what it would have gotten with Roberts based on his play in the Steel City over the course of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Holcomb is a little bit of an unknown because no one is quite sure how he will rebound from the brutal injury that he sustained in Week 9 of the 2023 campaign. Steelers Will Be Relying On Having A Stout Defense Throughout 2025 Season While the offense is expected to get a boost with Rodgers running the show, Pittsburgh has always been, and likely always will be, about strong defensive performances. Roberts won't be contributing to the efforts in 2025, but the group in the Steel City is already causing excitement with training camp underway. Fans are hopeful that the departure of Roberts won't come back to bite the franchise, but Carroll's comments certainly lead one to believe it may have bit a mistake to let him walk over to Las Vegas in free agency.

Quinn Ewers’ Camp Performance Forces Dolphins Into Tough QB Decision
NFL

Quinn Ewers’ Camp Performance Forces Dolphins Into Tough QB Decision

Being the backup quarterback isn't necessarily the most exciting role for anyone, but for a team like the Miami Dolphins, where starter Tua Tagovailoa has suffered four concussions since entering the NFL in 2020, it could be vital. As of now, a clear battle for that spot has formed between rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers and veteran former first-round selection Zach Wilson as they go head-to-head. Of course, training camp is where these kinds of questions can be solved, and so far, it appears that Ewers has done a good job in putting his best foot forward. On Friday, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel gave a very positive update on the young quarterback, stating, "Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers had a strong third practice of training camp. Made several impressive, big-time throws." The update sparked conversations among many fans, both supporting Ewers and a serious showing that there's interest in seeing who comes out on top. "Show ‘em, Quinn," said one comment. "He just does a lot of things (anticipatory throws, timing throws, MOTF accuracy, etc.) that fit this system much better than what Wilson does. I think with refinement and development we could have a backup in Miami that can operate the offense efficiently…finally," said another. "Love to hear it!" a third added. A fourth stated, "I'd be surprised if he's not the backup.." "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Quinn Ewers has the physical tools to stick at the next level. It’s just a matter of shaping the rest," a fifth continued. "That’s QB2 potential QB1 in the future Glad we drafted Ewers," said another. Another big test for both Ewers and Wilson will be during the Dolphins' three preseason games, as the coaching staff will get a much better look at how these two perform during live matchups. Luckily for both, though, being the backup is all they're truly fighting for, as Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports predicts that each will make the final 53-man roster, with cuts needing to be made by Aug. 27.

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