Full Breakdown
Steelers Saturday Practice Packs Latrobe Stadium
8/10/2026, 12:37:49 AM
Sold-out attendance and a shifted schedule
The Pittsburgh Steelers moved their traditional Friday-night camp practice to Saturday, marking the first such change under head coach Mike McCarthy. The team announced a sold-out crowd of 8,499 fans, a decline from the overflow of 13,653 that attended the same event last year. The packed stands reflected strong local interest despite the schedule shift.
Drill overhaul and coaching philosophy
Coach McCarthy eliminated tackling from the session, describing the practice as “fairly typical” but more physical in other respects. He revived a drill he once called a “mojo moment” while with the Dallas Cowboys and rebranded it as the “Franco moment” for the Steelers. The drill, designed to create surprise situations, featured a defensive stand that dominated the offensive attempts.
Key plays and player involvement
During the “Franco moment,” Aaron Rodgers’ first pass was intercepted by cornerback Jamel Dean and returned for a touchdown. Rodgers’ subsequent deep throw to DK Metcalf was contested by Asante Samuel Jr. but resulted in a celebrated catch. A second pass to tight end Darnell Washington was caught out of bounds as linebacker Patrick Queen and newly signed safety Rayshawn Jenkins closed in. Offensively, the Steelers went 0-for-3 in the drill, with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Rodgers all failing to produce a scoring drive. Rookie kicker Laith Marjan missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt, and a handoff between Howard and running back Lew Nichols was fumbled and recovered by Kevin Jobity Jr.
Notable absences and creative drills
First-round pick Max Iheanachor, along with several other rookies—including CB Brandin Echols (who wore a protective boot), RB Eli Heidenreich, S Jaquan Brisker, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, DL Logan Lee and OL Steven Jones—sat out the practice. Rookie Gennings Dunker participated in a novelty drill that combined blocking with catching two softballs, overseen by veteran offensive line coach James Campen. Fans displayed signs such as “Gennings Dunker 4 President!!” reflecting local enthusiasm.
Coaching outlook
McCarthy’s adjustments, including the removal of tackling and the emphasis on surprise drills, signal a shift toward discipline and situational readiness. The mixed results of the “Franco moment” highlight areas for improvement on both sides of the ball as the Steelers continue their preseason preparations.
