Jones Prior to Neck Injury
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published July 29, 2026, 3:49 PM
Top Five Observations from Steelers Camp – Day 1
The Mike McCarthy era officially began just before noon Wednesday at Saint Vincent College, and just like that, football felt back.
One small detail immediately caught everyone’s attention. Practice ended at 12:46 p.m. Not 12:45. Not 12:50.
Exactly 12:46.
McCarthy said it comes down to details and that’s pretty impressive.
Maybe it’s McCarthy being wired a little differently. Either way, it was one of those little quirks that had media members laughing afterward.
Beyond that, Mother Nature couldn’t have drawn up a better opening day. A steady breeze, overcast skies and temperatures that made standing along Chuck Noll Field feel far more enjoyable than the usual Latrobe sauna. The practice fields themselves looked as pristine as they’ve been in years.
Now comes the fun part.
After retreating to the media room and comparing notes, these were the five observations that stood out most from Day 1 of Steelers training camp.
Offensive Line Shuffle Already Underway
If there was one position group demanding your full attention Wednesday, it was the offensive line.
Mike McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen wasted little time mixing combinations while trying to identify the five best blockers. This wasn’t simply first team versus second team. It looked more like a live evaluation where versatility mattered just as much as talent.
Troy Fautanu opened practice with the first unit at left tackle while Dylan Cook protected the right edge. Inside, Zach Frazier anchored the group at center with Spencer Anderson and Mason McCormick working alongside him.
Meanwhile, Broderick Jones rotated at left tackle while rookie Max Iheanachor received work on the right side. Seventh-round pick Gennings Dunker continued earning meaningful guard reps.
One grouping became especially interesting.
Cook shifted to left tackle, Iheanachor remained on the right side and veteran Brock Hoffman handled center duties. Hoffman has always brought guard flexibility, but seeing him take center reps certainly raised eyebrows.
Is Pittsburgh quietly grooming him as Zach Frazier’s primary backup?
That’s the type of subtle camp development worth keeping an eye on because offensive line depth rarely becomes important until suddenly it’s everything.
A Busy Day for Pat Freiermuth
One player who consistently found the football was Pat Freiermuth.
Keeping track of every drill is nearly impossible during training camp, but I had Freiermuth down for roughly five receptions throughout practice. Every time I glanced toward another period, No. 88 seemed to be making another play.
Last season was a strange one.
As Darnell Washington continued emerging, Freiermuth started just eight games while averaging career lows of 2.4 receptions and 28.5 receiving yards per game.
Despite those numbers, the Steelers have continued investing in him, signing Freiermuth to a four-year extension before restructuring the deal this offseason for salary cap flexibility.
Now comes the interesting part.
Mike McCarthy has traditionally leaned on tight ends throughout his coaching career, especially inside the red zone and over the middle of the field. If that trend continues, Freiermuth could quietly become one of Pittsburgh’s biggest offensive bounce-back candidates in 2026.
Day one certainly looked encouraging.
Who Caught My Eye
Every training camp has that player.
The guy who wasn’t expected to dominate headlines but keeps making you stop writing notes because another impressive play just happened.
This year, that player is Brandon Smith.
The 27-year-old receiver has appeared in only three NFL games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent, but physically, he absolutely looks the part.
At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Smith offers a compact, powerful build with enough explosiveness to climb the ladder, shield defenders and finish difficult catches through contact.
Will he crack Pittsburgh’s final 53-man roster?
Probably not.
But it’s becoming easier to understand why NFL teams continue bringing him back. Players with his size, competitive toughness and willingness to make contested catches are exactly the type organizations love keeping on practice squads.
Once again Wednesday, Smith produced a handful of highlight-worthy grabs that drew applause from those watching.
They’re only small moments.
Sometimes, though, those small moments are exactly how NFL careers stay alive.
Eli Heidenreich Keeps Flashing
Every spring, one rookie begins stacking good days together.
Then training camp arrives…
…and instead of fading, he keeps building momentum.
For me, that’s been Eli Heidenreich.
The Navy product simply looks different when the football is in his hands. His burst jumps off the field, his change of direction is effortless and he consistently creates more space than defenders expect.
The bigger surprise?
His power.
Talking with people around practice, that’s one trait coaches seem genuinely impressed by. At 6-foot-1 and roughly 198 pounds, Heidenreich runs with considerably more strength than his frame suggests.
Seventh-round picks aren’t supposed to generate much buzz this early.
Neither were Jaylen Warren or Antonio Brown once upon a time.
Nobody is comparing careers, but every camp produces one late-round player who forces coaches to find room for him.
With Kenneth Gainwell no longer on the roster and a potential third-down role available, don’t be surprised if Heidenreich continues climbing the depth chart.
He’s making people notice.
The Broderick Jones Watch Begins
Few players enter training camp facing a bigger crossroads than Broderick Jones.
Just when his play appeared to be stabilizing late last season, a neck injury suffered against Chicago ended his year. The good news is Jones avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) and opened camp participating.
The bigger story is the roster picture.
Pittsburgh declined Jones’ fifth-year option, meaning the Steelers chose not to guarantee him an additional season under his rookie contract. Unless a new deal is reached, Jones is scheduled to become a free agent after the season.
That’s a significant statement from the organization.
Since drafting Jones in the first round, Pittsburgh has also invested premium draft capital in Troy Fautanu and this year’s first-round selection Max Iheanachor. That’s three tackle investments in four drafts.
Wednesday added another wrinkle.
Fautanu opened with the first-team offense at left tackle the very position once viewed as Jones’ long-term home.
Physically, Jones also looks noticeably leaner. After spending months recovering from a neck injury, several conversations along the sideline centered on his weight. Listed around 311 pounds, Jones appeared considerably lighter, with guesses ranging into the high-270s.
Whether that’s by design or simply a product of rehab remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: every snap Jones takes this summer will be under the microscope. His future in Pittsburgh has become one of the biggest storylines of training camp.
