Teresa Varley

Tuesday, June 10

More football-like approach:The Steelers went through their first day of mandatory minicamp, the work not a big change from what the team did the last two weeks during OTAs, but some subtle changes that made it more 'football-like.'

"Had a really good and exciting day today," said Coach Mike Tomlin after practice. "Very similar to the work we've done to this point in the offseason, but it's another step, another step closer to a football-like environment.

"The days are a little bit longer not only in terms of us being in the building, but the length of practice. We're at that stage where we get an opportunity to continue to work on our football conditioning and display it. Present some more challenging schematics in all three phases, and just really a little bit more formal work.

"From a competitive standpoint, it's a fun environment, and we had a really good day. I look forward to us getting back out and doing similar things tomorrow."

The Steelers welcomed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the field for the first time in a Steelers uniform, but there was also talk about a player who wasn't there, linebacker T.J. Watt, but Tomlin isn't worried about his future with the team.

"Certainly, we'd like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are," said Tomlin. "We've expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well. So, we'll continue to work. We've been here before."

Nothing but good vibes:Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took the field for the first time for the Steelers on Tuesday afternoon, and his receivers are happy to have him in the mix.

"It's pretty cool, good vibes," said second-year receiver Roman Wilson. "I'm happy he's here. It's cool.

"He brings a lot of experience, another perspective. He won a Super Bowl. Everything he shows on tape and he brings."

Rodgers will be entering his 21st season in the NFL after being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, the 24th overall pick.

He brings with him a long list of honors, including winning the Associated Press Most Valuable Player four times, joining Peyton Manning (five) as the only players to win the honor four or more times.

"I am very excited," said Wilson about learning from Rodgers. "Probably a Hall of Famer, Super Bowl champion, just a lot of experience, a lot of wisdom, and a guy I can learn from."

Rodgers was selected First-Team Associated Press All-Pro four times (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021) and Second-Team AP All-Pro once (2012). He is also a 10-time Pro Bowl selection (2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021), which is tied for fifth-most by a quarterback.

Rodgers was the MVP of Super Bowl XLV when he completed 24 of 39 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over the Steelers.

In 20 seasons he has appeared in 248 games, starting 241 of them. He has completed 5,369 of 8,245 passes, 65.1%, for 62,952 yards and 503 touchdowns.

He has the experience and the numbers that can rub off on a young player like Wilson.

"Just how to play football at a high level, how to execute at a high level, and how to conduct your business," said Wilson of some of the things Rodger's experience can provide for him.

While they just began working together in minicamp, Wilson doesn't think it will take long for the chemistry to take effect.

"It's just reps and time," said Wilson. "I can't give you the exact amount of time, but it's going to get there eventually."

This is the second straight year Wilson will have an opportunity to learn from a future Hall of Fame quarterback, having played with Russell Wilson in 2024 and Rodgers now.

It's something that isn't lost on him.

"It's really cool," said Wilson. "Something me and my family were talking about. It's just such a blessing and it's such an honor. It is a very cool experience."

Getting to know each other:Quarterback Mason Rudolph signed with the Steelers this offseason, returning to the team where his career began.

When he signed, it was just himself and Skylar Thompson in the quarterback room. The team added Will Howard in the 2025 NFL Draft and now completed the room with the addition of Aaron Rodgers.

Rudolph knew the team would be making additions to the room, and discussed that following practice on Tuesday.

"I assumed they were going to bring someone in," said Rudolph. "Aaron had been at the forefront of the conversation. Just another day in the NFL. You just make the most of your reps you're given.

"I knew there would be somebody. They'd go to training camp with four quarterbacks, and I saw them pick one up in the draft and add another one."

Rudolph and Rodgers have only worked together for a few days, getting to know each other and building a relationship.

"Big name, storied career and a Hall of Famer," said Rudolph. "It's been fun to go to work with him for a couple days now and learn about him.

"It's early, so we're just kind of getting to know him. He's been very inquisitive about the offense and very friendly, so it's fun. I've heard he's a good teammate from people that have spent time, and various teams he's been on, so it's been good."

A learning opportunity:Rookie quarterback Will Howard remembers watching Aaron Rogers as a kid, amazed by the talent of the future Hall of Famer.

Now he is his teammate, ready to learn from the 21-year veteran any way he can.

"I was fired up," said Howard about the addition of Rodgers. "That's a guy I grew up watching, idolizing, and it's cool to be in the same room with him. Just hearing, even first day, his thoughts and the way that he looks at things.

"He's a legend in this game and I'm going to try and learn as much as I can from him and be the best support guy I can be for him. I think it's amazing. I think the opportunity for me to learn and to work with a guy like that is second to none.

"I'm excited to see what he's able to do out on the field, and to be able to watch him in person, up close and personal, I'll be able learn a lot from a guy like that."

Howard said he heard about the signing via social media and it fired him up.

"I think him being here for me is a dream come true, learning from a guy like that," said Howard. "He was a down-to-earth guy. You would think he's this big-time famous guy. Everybody knows Aaron Rodgers. But he's super down-to-earth. Just super personable in the last day that I've been talking to him.

"I'm excited. I really am. Impressed by him and the way that he carries himself. I'm just excited."

While the last few days are the first opportunity Howard has had to interact with Rodgers, he is no stranger to his game, watching plenty of him as a kid.

"I remember watching the Super Bowl when I think I was nine years old when he won his Super Bowl," said Howard. "I was thinking yesterday, he was in the '05 draft class, so I would have been three years old when he got drafted. So, I've been watching him pretty near my whole life.

"There's a lot of things that I've picked up from him. The things that he can do with the football in his hands are special. And it's almost like you don't want to copy it at a certain point, because he can do it. But there's a ton of things that you can learn from that guy. And I'm just excited to pick his brain and see what he's like at the line of scrimmage and in the meeting room and how he sees things."

Football in shorts:Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar has liked what he has seen from the team's rookie linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, liking their athletic ability even though he hasn't seen anything except football in shorts so far.

"I think they are athletic enough to be ready to play," said Dunbar. "The physical contact is going to come in July when we get to training camp. Right now, it's just football in shorts. You can't see the physicality some of these guys bring to the table. But I think we got the right ones.

"They're athletic, they have length and they're big as (heck). So, I like those three components right there."

One aspect that is obvious is the mental side, where Harmon, the team's No. 1 draft pick, and Black, taken in the fifth round, are coming through.

"I think they're doing a great job," said Dunbar. "We meet after practice with the rookies. So, I think they're doing great job of picking up what we do."

The addition of the two rookies added to a defensive line room that gives Dunbar plenty of options, and he is looking forward to seeing how it all plays out in training camp.

"Competition, competition, competition. I think that's what it's all about," said Dunbar. "And when you've got guys competing every day, they're going to get better."

Special guests:The Steelers had some special guests at minicamp practice on Tuesday, as members of the Girls Flag All-Peer Team were on hand to watch practice and a special presentation.

The Steelers and The Mentoring Partnership teamed up with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Giant Eagle and Spread Group for the inaugural Girls Flag All-Peer Team, which features high school players from the region who go above and beyond to provide mentor-like support to their teammates, in school and in the community.

The 2025 Girl's Flag All-Peer Team includes: Zoey Cieslak, Shaler Area High School; Carmen Pietro, Seneca Valley High School; Ava Chizmar, South Allegheny High School; Margaret Mary Sweeney, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School; Meredith Huzjak, Upper St. Clair High School; Javylah Macon, Sto-Rox High School; and Shayla Washington, Brashear High School.