The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally kicked off 2026 training camp in Latrobe, PA. The new coaching staff is now a few practices in, getting a chance to look at the team and figure out how they will assemble it for the upcoming year. Head Coach Mike McCarthy comes into his first year in the Steel City known for being an offensive-minded head leader. That offense had pieces added to it this offseason to help Aaron Rodgers turn the unit around, as he's back under center once again. While they have mainly only been going through drills at half speed, many wonder how the offense looks overall just four days in.
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New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy smiles with quarterback Aaron Rodgers during OTAs at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in 2026.
With a couple of new weapons at wide receiver in Germie Bernard and Michael Pittman Jr. to help take attention away from DK Metcalf, the team is hoping that can open things up on offense in the upcoming season. Metcalf mentioned that he is looking to change some things this year recently, as he reported to camp on Tuesday morning. He appears poised for a bounce back season as he is joined by some new weapons for his quarterback under this staff.
On Saturday morning, the Black and Gold head coach met with the media ahead of their practice at Saint Vincent College. During the media session, he was asked to assess where he felt the offense was. While it did appear to be good news, he also added some context that may give many a reason to be cautiously optimistic.
“Mentally, I think we’re in a good place, solid place,” McCarthy said. “You know we’re not ready to take the exam yet, but we’re definitely in a good place. It’s about knowing what to do, when to do it, but the real challenge starts Monday when the DBs and the perimeter players can really put their hands on each other.”
These words sound encouraging from the Pittsburgh head coach. However, with things getting ready to get a bit more physical starting next week, it seems like they have to prove to him that they are ready to translate that strong mental game onto the field as the physicality picks up on Monday. Should they be able to do that, it could be a very encouraging sign for the offense, especially given their struggles in the 2025 season.
Steelers' Offense Must Vastly Improve For Success In 2026
The team's 305.6 yards per game on offense was good for just 25th in the NFL in terms of total offense in the 2025 season. The transition to an offensive-minded coach gives hope for that to improve in the 2026 season, so being in the right place mentally is an encouraging sign as September draws closer. With Rodgers' experience and an increased arsenal of weapons at his disposal, it could be the perfect recipe for that improvement to happen.
The team did finish in the middle of the pack in scoring offense in 2025. The problem with that is they also placed in the lower half of the league in both rushing and passing offense. The additions in the wide receiver room should help to improve the passing game, while the rushing game can improve as well with Rico Dowdle running alongside Jaylen Warren. Dowdle is coming off of back to back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024 and last season with the Carolina Panthers.
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Pittsburgh Steelers RB Jaylen Warren during Phase One of offseason workouts in 2026.
The real test will come on Monday when things really start to pick up for the offense in terms of physicality, which should be a big measuring stick. Next wee, fans should find out more from their head coach as he enters his inaugural season with the organization with how the progression goes offensively. However, if things are looking as positive as he noted Saturday, then that is a good step in the right direction for an offense looking for a turnaround in 2026.
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