Steelers C Zach Frazier struggles for second straight day at training camp
During the iconic seven shots drill on Friday, Frazier started ice cold, sending Aaron Rodgers chasing after an errant snap — but the Steelers gave him a do-over, and the play didn't count.
On Saturday, another bad snap from Frazier forced the play to be blown dead — but he wasn't let off the hook this time, and was subsequently replaced for a rep by C Ryan McCollum.
All eyes will be on Frazier's snaps moving forward — as the surprising struggles from the Joe Greene Great Performance Award winner have caught many Steelers fans, including myself, off guard.
We at Steelers Wire will continue to provide updates as training camp rolls on — from exciting moments like Patrick Queen's interception of Rodgers to Zach Frazier's ongoing development in Latrobe.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
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New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Rodgers not 'an expert' of Steelers offense yet
Follow along live for exclusive access and insight from The Athletic's writers as NFL training camps continue this week Imagn Images Imagn Images Some words from Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers today as he continues to acclimate to his new team. 'As much as I have a good feel for the offense, I'm not what I would call an expert of the offense yet… I become an expert when you break the huddle and you can see the picture in your mind. And every now and then the picture is a little fuzzy still.' Asked how long it will take for the picture to become more clear, he said, 'I want to have it down by the end of this week.' Rodgers also praised center Zach Frazier, saying he's 'so freaking smart' that he's making some calls for the QB early in camp. 'I said, 'Don't get used to that. At some point, I'm going to be making the calls for you.'' On working with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith: 'I like the flexibility. Arthur is not rigid. He wants to tailor the scheme to personnel.' Perhaps this is to be expected. The Patriots have a new offensive coordinator, new offensive tackles and a new No. 1 wide receiver. If you're an optimist, there have been enough on-the-money throws from Maye to be convinced he can be a top-10 quarterback in the NFL this season. But if you're ready to nitpick and believe the front office didn't do enough this offseason to improve the offense, there have been plenty of struggles to which you can point. In short, the offense has been inconsistent. At times, the offensive line looks pretty shaky. At times, the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart has struggled. At times (including at Tuesday's practice), Maye's accuracy is an issue. And there have been way too many botched snaps between Maye and his centers, which can be drive-enders. It's still early for an offense that's learning a new scheme, so it shouldn't be a surprise that consistency has been an issue. All in all, it has been an up-and-down start for the unit. GO FURTHER What we've learned about the Patriots through 6 training camp practices WR Hunter Renfrow has slight hamstring issue CB Mike Jackson has a sprained toe LB Pat Jones has an upper-respiratory illness. Getty Images The Browns' issues at cornerback continued today with confirmation that Martin Emerson Jr. will miss the season with a torn Achilles tendon suffered in yesterday's practice. Veteran cornerback Tony Brown is not yet back in full practice due to an undisclosed injury, and second-year cornerback Anthony Kendall left today's practice with an undisclosed injury. Second-year cornerback Myles Harden was again absent from today's practice for personal reasons. Imagn Images Browns left tackle Dawand Jones departed today's practice early with a heat-related issue. Jones rode in the front seat of the team's medical cart from a back practice field to the team facility about halfway through practice this morning. Cornelius Lucas replaced Jones as the left tackle with the No. 1 offense for the rest of practice. As he's done to Jones nearly every day during training camp, All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett beat Lucas for a sack in a late practice 11-on-11 drill. The Browns are hoping that Jones can lock down the left tackle job – both immediately and going forward – after he spent most of his first two seasons playing right tackle. Jones played left tackle in three games last season and for one season at Ohio State. Jones lost a significant amount of weight in the offseason as he rehabbed from arthroscopic knee surgery and prepared for his full-time switch to the left side. He's the only one of the Browns' projected offensive line starters who's currently under contract for 2026. Getty Images FOXBORO, Mass. – Patriots top cornerback Christian Gonzalez will miss at least the rest of this week's practices, coach Mike Vrabel said, after he appeared to pull up from Monday's practice with a left hamstring injury. It's a tough blow to a Patriots group of cornerbacks suddenly dealing with injuries. Carlton Davis has missed five of the team's seven practices, including this morning's session. In their absence, Vrabel shouted out the improvement of DJ James, a sixth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2024 who didn't make their 53-man roster, then signed with the Patriots' practice squad last year. Gonzalez's injury doesn't sound like one that could leave his status for Week 1 in jeopardy, but he'll miss multiple practices as the Pats now manage their cornerback depth. In addition, center Garrett Bradbury suffered an apparent injury yesterday afternoon and was not present at today's session. (Getty Images) My biggest concern for Ward throughout the draft process was him being asked to carry a bad team immediately. However, the rebuilding Titans have given him some help. Kevin Zeitler and Dan Moore were big additions, as was Tyler Lockett. Even if Lockett can't quite give at age 32 what he had at 25, his presence will be a big deal. Ward has to play faster in the pocket and continue to work on ball placement. He's going to struggle, especially early, but if the Titans ride with him through thick and thin, expect him to be noticeably better by January. GO FURTHER What should Year 1 expectations be for Cam Ward, other 2025 NFL Draft first-round picks? League sources: Ravens TE Isaiah Likely is having surgery immediately to stabilize a fracture in his foot after being carted off the field Tuesday at the end of practice. Baltimore's fourth-year tight end will miss training camp. Both sides are optimistic Likely could return in early September. (Getty Images) Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced that cornerback Kader Kohou suffered a season-ending knee injury during Saturday's practice. Imagn Images The Carolina Panthers' quarterbacks and wide receivers were together in Minnesota this summer working out and enjoying some river time on Adam Thielen's boat. (Xavier Legette might not have enjoyed it so much.) Meanwhile, the team's offensive linemen scattered like the wind when minicamp wrapped up in June, with several sprinting to a waiting golf cart seconds after the final practice horn blew. 'That five weeks (before training camp)? Buddy, I was out of here. I'm sure everybody else was, too,' right guard Robert Hunt said. 'I've got a little boy and all that kinda stuff. I love these guys. But we're hanging out (with family), man.' GO FURTHER Panthers looking for big things from O-line that returns intact: 'They believe in us' Top defensive end Greg Rousseau has had a great start to training camp, just as he has had for several years in a row. The biggest wonder is where the Bills could deploy him in 2025, as the team moved him around between the left and right side for much of the last two seasons due to the presence of other big-name pass rushers. To this point in camp, Rousseau has been nearly exclusively at left defensive end, working against right tackles. That side is his most natural position of the two, and even when paired with Joey Bosa, who has had some career success rushing from the left, Rousseau has been the player on the left side of the formation. Although it's not everything, keeping him on the left could be a key in helping to unlock his pass-rushing ceiling. The 'plan' for Bosa has been evident through the first week of camp. The Bills are being highly intentional with how much and when they are giving Bosa practice reps. He's already had a pair of days off from team drills, and he hasn't gotten a vast amount of work during 11-on-11s in the four days he was available. The Bills are solely focused on the long game with Bosa, favoring his availability in the regular season and playoffs as opposed to what, for him, are ultimately non-impactful snaps during camp. It remains to be seen if Bosa will be a starter in 2025, and how many snaps that means each game, even if he is on the field for the first defensive snap each week. Outside of Bosa, second-year defensive end Javon Solomon has put together another strong start to camp as a pass rusher. He earned a consistent special teams role in 2024 and needs to show more as a run defender to earn consistent playing time on defense in 2025. However, if he continues to have pass-rushing impact during practice, there is some appeal to working him in on obvious pass-rushing situations once the regular season arrives. GO FURTHER What we learned at every position in the first week of Bills training camp Getty Images For the last three days, the show has started around 10 a.m. ET, roughly a half-hour after the close of practice. Terry McLaurin, the Commanders' star receiver who has been 'holding-in' during training camp while he seeks a new contract, has made his way down the concrete steps outside the team's training facility and headed for the swarm of fans chanting his name. He's worn the same thing — a white cutoff T-shirt, burgundy shorts and a burgundy ballcap — each day. He's heard the same proclamations — 'We love you, Terry! They need to re-sign you, Terry!' — each day. He's signed virtually the same mini footballs and helmets and posters and jerseys, in the same way, as security guards have nudged him to keep moving. GO FURTHER What does Courtland Sutton's new deal mean for Commanders' Terry McLaurin? Imagn Images In his annual late-July meeting with reporters on Tuesday, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was clear that he expects better than the 3-14 season produced in 2024. He still believes the team is on the right track despite the massive failure of the Deshaun Watson experiment, which Haslam deemed 'a big swing and miss' in March. In saying that he believes in and expects better from coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, though, Haslam pretty much conceded that 'absolutely' includes the Browns playing at least one of their two rookie quarterbacks in 2025 as part of a full, fair and crucial evaluation of just about everything ahead of the 2026 draft, when Cleveland holds two first-round picks. GO FURTHER Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says there's no panic following disappointing 2024 season Imagn Images Jeff Stoutland gestured for his wife, Allison, to stand beside him. She's been a part of what's being celebrated, after all. Stoutland has been coaching 43 years. Allison's been with him for 33 of them. Southern Connecticut to Cornell. Syracuse to Michigan State. Miami to Alabama. At last, Philadelphia. In the last 12 years, three offensive linemen coached by Stoutland were named All-Pros. Eight were named Pro Bowlers. Others graduated from what they still call 'Stoutland University' and established footholds in Philly or elsewhere. Some return. Matt Pryor, drafted by the Eagles in 2018, is back after spending four seasons with three different teams. He stayed in touch with Allison throughout. He calls her 'Mama Stout.' GO FURTHER Eagles camp: Jeff Stoutland receives lifetime achievement award, talks OL depth
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Behind Aaron Rodgers, Rudolph perfects the art of staying ready: Steelers training camp observations
LATROBE, Pa. — Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph knows quite well how the twists and turns of the season can lead to an unexpected opportunity. In 2023, he was buried on the depth chart as the third quarterback behind Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky. Thinking his career could be coming to an end, he began exploring opportunities in real estate and started planning for life after football. Then, an injury to Pickett and ineffective run by Trubisky thrust Rudolph into a starting role, where he led an improbable three-game winning streak to help the Steelers qualify for the playoffs. Advertisement 'You're sitting at third string on the depth chart, a lot has to happen for you to get on the field. And a lot did happen that year,' Rudolph said. 'I'm grateful to God for giving me that window of opportunity.' On Saturday, opportunity once again presented itself, albeit in a much lower-stakes environment: For a light practice without pads, Mike Tomlin gave Aaron Rodgers and many other veterans the day off. The decision gave Rudolph the chance to work extensively with the first-team offense. 'You just try to do the best you can with them,' Rudolph said. 'I thought we had a good day and moved the ball, took care of the ball. It's always a quick turnaround with the Friday night (practice) and then getting yourself up for this one. But I thought the guys came out with a lot of energy.' When Rudolph signed a two-year deal with the Steelers this offseason, he sat atop the depth chart for several months and ran the show as QB1 during the first two weeks of OTAs. However, when Rodgers signed, Rudolph slid into a more familiar role as a backup. His job this season? Remain ready. Considering Rodgers' age and injury history, Rudolph being prepared to step in at a moment's notice could be critical. 'When you get in the season, are you studying more?' Rudolph said. 'Because you're not getting the physical reps, so are you doing more, doubling down on the mental work and the walk-through reps and stealing any throws you can get after practice? That's the way to be ready when you're called upon in the NFL as a backup quarterback to make sure you're sharp and you're not just coasting through the year, because you never know when your opportunity is going to come.' Throughout camp, Rudolph has been more than sharp when working against the second-team defense. During Friday Night Lights, he had unquestionably the best throw of the practice when he threaded the needle on a deep ball between two defenders and into the waiting hands of tight end Jonnu Smith. On Saturday, Rudolph began his day 1-for-3 in the Seven Shots drill. His touchdown came when the defense lost tight end Darnell Washington in coverage; Rudolph placed the ball well, putting it where only Washington's outstretched arms could catch it. In 11-on-11 drills, Rudolph's biggest completion came when Scotty Miller won on a whip route and then outraced cornerback Darius Slay for a massive gain. Then in a red-zone period, Rudolph connected with Connor Heyward on a slant just as the tight end was crossing the goal line. Advertisement While Rudolph is quite familiar with Saint Vincent College, saying it feels like 'home,' he's now in a new offense coordinated by Arthur Smith. He's been working in camp to pick up the playbook and master the new concepts. 'I think you try to fit the concepts that you have to the players,' Rudolph said. 'I think Arthur's done a good job of that. I watched all the games from last year with the overlays and the play tags… There's been a good many different concepts that have been installed, whether they had that last year, they just didn't fit the style. But I'm comfortable with what we got in. I think the guys have been executing it well.' While Rodgers' signing pushed Rudolph down the depth chart, he's embraced the opportunity to learn from a four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion. 'I had a buddy send me a video and (he) said, 'Bro, your eyes are glazing over talking about Aaron Rodgers, so relax, take it easy,'' Rudolph joked. 'But it's been great. He's been very helpful and just very friendly and open to questions — whether that be football or non-football, talking about his experiences over the years. (I'm) really enjoying it and trying to pick up anything I can from him. He's forgotten more football than most of us will ever know. It's a great resource.' Tomlin is a man of many sayings. One of the most popular among his players is 'don't get beat to the flat' — he's said it so many times that they printed up shirts that say DGBTTF. When shifty running back Kenneth Gainwell, the former Eagle, burned the Steelers last season, the team took note and signed him this offseason. 'He's good inside the backfield,' Tomlin said. 'He's good out of the backfield. He's a good route runner. He's a good outside-zone runner. He's got a well-rounded game. That's one of the reasons we were excited about acquiring him.' Advertisement Throughout camp, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith — who loves versatile players who can line up in different positions — has been deploying Gainwell in a variety of roles, including outside as a receiver. 'I've been doing this since I was seven, running routes,' Gainwell said. 'It's just something that I get to display in the NFL and on a different level.' The Steelers have an excellent cover linebacker in Payton Wilson, who ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine, the fastest of any player at his position. Tomlin has often matched up Gainwell against Wilson, including on numerous reps Saturday. The strength-on-strength matchup has made for many must-watch, competitive reps. On Saturday, Gainwell got the better of Wilson for the most part. Wilson is outstanding in coverage and has held up well against small, speedy backs, but Gainwell began the day winning on an out route. Later, referees called a holding penalty on Wilson after Gainwell won on a wheel route. 'I think it's a great challenge having a great linebacker who can cover real good,' Gainwell said. 'That's challenging myself, too. I'm embracing that challenge to go continue to get him better each and every day and get me better too.' The Steelers' cornerback room has been a position group in transition this offseason. The numerous additions include Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Brandin Echols and seventh-round pick Donte Kent. All those moves pushed James Pierre down the depth chart — and possibly off the 53-man roster. However, over the last two days, Pierre has forced the coaching staff to notice him. During Friday Night Lights, Pierre ended the two-minute drill (and the practice) with an interception of Rudolph. On Saturday, that ball-hawking prowess continued during one-on-one periods: Pierre intercepted Rudolph and Howard. Pierre also was all over Scotty Miller on the first rep of Seven Shots to force an incompletion. Advertisement As it stands, the top three corners — Ramsey, Slay and Porter — will be on the field a lot together. Echols, who has had a strong camp of his own, was playing second-team reps opposite Cory Trice Jr. However, on Friday Trice sustained a hamstring injury that could keep him out for more than a couple practices. So far, Pierre is taking full advantage of his opportunity. He could end up being one of the tougher decisions for the Steelers, as he provides good special teams value but also sits on the roster's fringe. It's hard to say now if he'll be on the 53-man roster, a decision that could be impacted by Trice's health, special teams math and if the Steelers believe they can sneak the 28-year-old Pierre onto the practice squad. Speaking of injuries creating opportunities, the defensive line has been hit particularly hard. On Saturday, the Steelers placed veteran Dean Lowry on injured reserve; Lowry very likely would have made the 53-man roster. In a corresponding move, the Steelers called up Breiden Fehoko, a 28-year-old who spent the last couple seasons on the practice squad. On Saturday, Fehoko walked into the meeting room to get, well, a unique reaction from his teammates. 'I got boos,' Fehoko laughed. 'But good boos. It's great being around the guys, the camaraderie. Believe it or not, you kind of miss Latrobe a little bit. I (was) at home, changing diapers and stuff, doing Target runs with the wife. I get a call to go to Latrobe. I'm on that plane.' As it currently stands, Fehoko probably is still slated for a practice-squad role. The Steelers kept eight defensive linemen out of camp last year. Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, rookie Yahya Black, Logan Lee, Daniel Ekuale and Isaiahh Loudermilk seem like the seven most-likely candidates to make the team. It's possible the Steelers only keep seven. If they keep eight, DeMarvin Leal, who has been playing a lot of outside linebacker, and offseason addition Esezi Otomewo are two more contenders on the fringe. That said, Fehoko lost about 30-to-35 pounds this offseason. Changing his body could add some versatility to his game, as he goes from just a run-stuffing nose tackle to a more mobile interior lineman who might be able to line up at the 3-4 defensive end position, as well. Advertisement 'Two years ago, when I first got to Pittsburgh Steelers, I was this submarine plugger, and I could barely move side to side,' Fehoko said. 'Now my body feels great. I feel so much more leaner.' My guess is Fehoko still ends up on the practice squad, but we'll see. 1. Pierre was all over Miller, forcing an incomplete pass from Rudolph (1-0, defense) 2. Washington got lost in coverage and caught a touchdown from Rudolph in the corner of the end zone (1-1) 3. Inside linebacker Cole Holcomb broke up a pass intended for Pat Freiermuth (2-1, defense) 4. With Will Howard at QB, nickel Beanie Bishop broke up a pass intended for Ben Skowronek (3-1, defense) 5. Howard connected with Brandon Johnson on a slant (3-2, defense) 6. Skylar Thompson threw incomplete for tight end Kevin Foelsch (4-2, defense) 7. Thompson threw incomplete for running back Max Hurleman (5-2, defense) Tomlin said Trice (hamstring) and tackle Calvin Anderson have soft-tissue injuries that could keep them out 'more than a few days.' While Pierre stepped up in Trice's absence, versatile lineman Spencer Anderson was deployed as a left tackle… On the flip side, Tomlin said he expects Calvin Austin III, Benton, Otomewo, fullback/ TE DJ Thomas-Jones, backup center Ryan McCollum and Porter back 'very soon.' The coach categorized all those players as 'day to day.' The Steelers will hold family day on Sunday and plan to be in pads. Traditionally, this is the time in camp when Tomlin likes to do short-yardage and goal-line drills. It could be a big day for the men in the trenches.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Steelers inquired about potential Terry McLaurin trade, but one holdup remains, per report
The Terry McLaurin to Pittsburgh rumors are heating up — as a new report has indicated the Steelers have reached out to the Washington Commanders about a possible trade. According to DK Pittsburgh Sports' Chris Halicke, sources say Steelers GM Omar Khan reached out to the Washington Commanders to inquire about McLaurin's availability — but financial obligations may hold up a deal. "In reaching out to the Commanders, the Steelers learned that McLaurin not only wants to be paid like a true No. 1 receiver, which is expected, he wants to be a true No. 1 receiver on whatever team he plays on in 2025 and beyond," Halicke wrote. "With the Steelers having DK Metcalf signed to a five-year, $150 million contract, they've committed to him as their No. 1 receiver." ESPN's Adam Schefter previously echoed a similar sentiment — revealing on The Pat McAfee Show that McLaurin wants to surpass Metcalf's $33 million per season. Still, Khan's inquiry is an exciting development — one that should come as no surprise considering the blockbuster moves made by Pittsburgh this offseason. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
