The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their second week of training camp on Saturday, welcoming nearly 8,500 people to Latrobe for their annual night practice. With the first of three preseason games now on the horizon, the new-look roster under head coach Mike McCarthy will have its first opportunity to show off the hard work this summer.
Plenty of players have come out of the gate strong during camp, while others have started to fade with each practice.
It would take forever to highlight every player who is thriving/struggling this summer, but there are a few key performances that I believe could carry over into the preseason and beyond. Let's dive in.
Notable Pittsburgh Steelers players who have succeeded/failed through two weeks of camp
Surging: WR Roman Wilson
When the Steelers drafted Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round this year, many believed it could be the end for Roman Wilson's chances to become a starter. Instead, Wilson has a case for the biggest winner of camp thus far, and his improved connection with Aaron Rodgers has him firmly entrenched as the team's starting slot receiver as of now.
Things could change once we get into live action during the preseason, but Wilson appears to have done more than just save his spot on the roster.
Slipping: LB Malik Harrison
Malik Harrison was a potential cap casualty heading into the offseason, but he has stuck around to this point in the summer. Unfortunately for the veteran linebacker, he appears to have been passed up on the depth chart by 2025 seventh-round pick Carson Bruener.
Harrison struggled last season in a limited role, and keeping five linebackers may not make sense for Pittsburgh this season with how the roster is constructed. Unless something changes quickly, I don't see a path for him to make the roster.
Surging: CB Daylen Everette
The Steelers' second of three third-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Daylen Everette, has been one of the surprises of training camp in the best way possible. He has flashed the physicality and toughness that made him a three-year starter for the Georgia Bulldogs, and his coaches have raved about his mindset and willingness to be coached.
He has also formed a fast bond with receiver DK Metcalf, who has taken it upon himself to challenge the rookie in camp. If he continues to excel during the preseason, fans could see more of him this year than they would have ever expected.
Slipping: QB Will Howard
Despite coming off a strong practice on Saturday, Will Howard seems to be losing the battle to be the Steelers' QB2 so far this summer. Mason Rudolph has impressed the new coaching staff, and 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar has had moments of brilliance as he looks to rebuild his mechanics from the ground up.
Howard, meanwhile, has failed to stand out in any one area, at least not enough to create any buzz through the first two weeks of practice. Perhaps he can change the narrative once he gets live reps in the preseason, but his odds of unseating Rudolph remain low for now.
Surging: OT Broderick Jones
Broderick Jones was one of the Steelers' biggest wild cards heading into training camp this year, thanks to a neck injury that ended his third season prematurely. Many expected him to land on the Physically Unable to Perform List (PUP) to start camp, but he surprised fans by being ready to go for Day 1.
Has he been perfect? No, far from it, in fact. He spent the majority of the first handful of practices just trying to get back into the rhythm of playing tackle, and his technique and play strength weren't quite back yet. On Saturday, however, he started to show the talent that once made him viewed as a franchise tackle.
Even if he continues to be the backup tackle for Pittsburgh throughout the summer, simply making his way back from a serious injury makes him a winner in my eyes.
Slipping: RB/WR Eli Heidenreich
2026 seventh-round pick Eli Heidenreich was facing an uphill battle to make the Steelers roster before camp even began, and nothing has happened at camp to change that. Between Kaleb Johnson working hard to become a contributor on special teams and Travis Homer already being an established special teams ace, Heidenreich would need to blow the coaching staff away to earn a role this season.
Instead, he had a quiet start to camp before suffering a leg injury this past week. Unless he can get healthy in time to get on the field during preseason action, he seems destined to end up on the practice squad to start his NFL career.
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