Steelers Training Camp Primer: Dates, Location, Position Battles, Big Questions & More

NFL training camps are upon us and football will soon be back. Pittsburgh Steelers fans are having a hard time holding back the excitement after a fascinating 2023 offseason that included an impressive draft class and a number of free agent signings in Omar Khan's first offseason as general manager.

Steelers training camp will soon kick off, and fans want to know all of the details. Whether you are planning on visiting training camp in person to witness the action or simply following along with the latest updates from home, here's everything you need to know about Steelers camp in 2023.

Steelers training camp dates:

• Thursday, July 27th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public, Unpadded)*
• Friday, July 28th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public, Unpadded)*
• Saturday, July 29th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public, Unpadded)*
• Sunday, July 30th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public, Unpadded)*
• Tuesday, August 1st, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Wednesday, August 2nd, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Thursday, August 3rd, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Friday, August 4th, 7 p.m. (Latrobe Memorial Stadium)
• Saturday, August 5th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Sunday, August 6th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Tuesday, August 8th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Wednesday, August 9th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Friday, August 11th, Preseason Game at Tampa Bay (7 p.m. KDKA-TV)
• Sunday, August 13th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Tuesday, August 15th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Wednesday, August 16th, 1:55 p.m. (Open to Public)
• Thursday, August 17th, 10:30 a.m. (Open to Public)

The first day of Steelers training camp is Thursday, July 27th, but it's worth noting that their first four practices will be without pads. If you are hoping to see some collisions in team drills, you may want to hold off on visiting camp until at least the first day of August. The last day of camp open to the public is August 17th, and players are given multiple days off for rest in between.

Steelers training camp location:

The Pittsburgh Steelers will continue their tradition of holding training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. This is a tradition that began all the way back in 1966 and continues today. There was a brief two-year break from holding camp in Latrobe during the Covid pandemic, but camp will again be held at Saint Vincent College in 2023.

The address to Saint Vincent College is 300 Fraser Purchase Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650. Parking and admission to Steelers camp are both free. However, fans must have mobile tickets to enter the grounds. You can secure tickets on the official Steelers website.

Positional battles:

Positional battles are always the talk of training camp. As the roster is shuffled and new talent is brought in through the NFL Draft and free agency, fans are always interested to see how the depth chart will shape up. Here are some of the biggest positional battles to keep an eye on at Steelers training camp in 2023:

• Slot receiver: Allen Robinson vs Calvin Austin III
• 'Y' tight end: Zach Gentry vs Darnell Washington
• Left tackle: Dan Moore Jr. vs Broderick Jones
• Nose tackle: Keeanu Benton vs Breiden Fehoko
• Cornerback: Levi Wallace vs Joey Porter Jr.

In addition to these intriguing individual battles, there are other positions that fans would love to see unfold at camp. These include backup offensive linemen, backup wide receivers, backup defensive linemen, backup cornerbacks, and the pecking order at the off-ball linebacker position.

Biggest questions:

Some big questions still need to be answered as we approach Steelers training camp. One of them is when will Pittsburgh and Alex Highsmith come to terms on a contract extension. Highsmith is coming off a career season but is entering the final year of his rookie deal. The Steelers will want to make sure he's locked up for the foreseeable future, but this is something that could linger on throughout training camp.

It's also worth noting that Joey Porter Jr. remains unsigned prior to Steelers training camp. Porter's agent wants more guaranteed money, as Porter was the 32nd overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. He believes that Porter should be paid like the last pick of the first round (even though he is technically a second-rounder).

What you need to know if attending Steelers camp:

If you are attending Steelers training camp this year, there are some things you need to know. Strollers, camping chairs, and snacks are welcome on the campus grounds at Saint Vincent College, but bags will be checked upon entry. There are vendors and games for kids near the south side of the facility after you enter from the parking lot, as well as a Steelers Pro Shop where you can purchase memorabilia.

There are four practice fields in all, but the best view on campus will be on the bleachers. The field closest to the bleachers will primarily be the offense and all 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 team sessions. Fans are free to get up and move about, but it's first come, first serve when it comes to the limited bleacher seating.

Players will arrive at the practice field from the building just north of the fields. For those who are hoping to snag some autographs, the best time to do so is as the practice is finishing. Fans will line the pathway for their shot at an autograph. Getting a good spot is usually important, and you will want to be there before the practice wraps up. Some players will stick around for a little while after practice to sign while others hit the Jugs machine.