The Pittsburgh Steelers have made plenty of changes to training camp with the new staff. Head Coach Mike McCarthy caught some flak from Steeler Nation for refusing to tackle during these practices, although he has said that he still expects his team to be very physical each day. The whole plan is that this team will be very aggressive and physical throughout the season, so he is going to have to figure that part out. It shouldn't be too hard, as plenty of other physical, great defenses don't tackle during practice.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy works with the team during organized team activities (OTAs).
During the first day of padded practice, that wasn't the case. Running back Jaylen Warren had no problems publicly voicing his concerns over the lack of physicality. It definitely isn't what he's used to, as him being able to show off how physical he is during training camp was a big reason he made the team as an undrafted free agent rookie in the first place.
It seems like the Steelers took that to heart. During training camp the very next day, things definitely ramped up as Nick Farabaugh reported.
Plenty physical team run period the Steelers just did. Brock Hoffman looked extremely impressive. Got multiple reps of vertical movement.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) August 4, 2026
While Farabaugh named Brock Hoffman specifically, it's not just him that's getting physical. This run period still has plenty of loud noises coming from the bodies smacking into each other constantly. If the Steelers are going to stop the run defensively while running the ball well offensively, they need to keep having sessions like this to truly develop well.
This can't be the only physical practice period of training camp, however. This has to become a staple for the Steelers. They have a 42-year-old quarterback leading the offense, and he has proven recently that he does not want to get hit much anymore, so there will be a lot of power runs and dives to set up the play action and take some of the burden off of him.
Brian Fluharty / Imagn Images
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers hands the ball off to Jaylen Warren during a road game against the Patriots in 2025.
The offense has done a nice job of running the ball in recent years, but the defense has been unable to stop it for the most part. Year after year, they get gashed in that department, especially in games that matter most. In the postseason, the ability to stop the run game tends to completely deteriorate, which puts a lot of strain on the secondary to pick up the slack and allow big passes over the top.
Some Steelers Need Physical Practices To Earn A Spot On The Roster
As much as this is a team concern, some individuals need to show their physicality to make the team like Warren did. Kevin Jobity Jr., for example, has the size and the athleticism to play defensive lineman well, but that means nothing if he lacks strength and technique between the tackles. If he can prove that he can get physical during these run-down periods, a roster spot will open up for him for sure.
Meanwhile, Malik Harrison could end up getting cut after preseason if he can't step his game up. It seems like Cole Holcomb has jumped him on the depth chart, as he has been the primary run-down linebacker all throughout training camp. He went from projected starter in 2025 to a bubble player now, and he could be released to save money and free up a spot for another defensive back to help deal with injuries.
Seeing the physicality from Tuesday's practice has been nice, but it's not enough. It's just a good start. There has to be physical play more often, and it has to happen in more than just Team Run periods. If not, then the 2026 season will be seen as a disappointment in the eyes of the fans with it ending like it has recently: Pittsburgh getting embarrassed.
What do you think about the Steelers ramping up the physicality after getting called out for it? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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