Teresa Varley

Thursday, June 12

Some solid advice:The Steelers wrapped up their minicamp on Thursday, off for about six weeks before they report to Saint Vincent College for training camp on July 23.

While they are gone, staying on top of their game is key, especially for younger players.

Linebacker Patrick Queen, who is entering his sixth season, went through that transition as a young player and has advice for this year's group.

"I think the biggest thing is just being in shape and that comes into play when you're mentally tired," said Queen. "Everybody could be sharp and know what they're doing in the first quarter or first few reps of practice. But once you get to that late practice, or late in the game, and your body is tired, your legs are tired and you are breathing hard, that's when you need that. It becomes a struggle of trying to remember your job and stuff and being on top of that and on top of your technique and fundamentals.

"That's the biggest thing, being in shape that way so when you get late in the season, game or practice or whatever it may be, that you're still sharp on IQ and fundamentals."

Queen isn't someone who will preach that message to players, but rather show them by example, allowing them to see what it is he brings to the table.

"I will show them what do, not by telling them, but maybe saying, I need to do this or that better," said Queen. "I remember with Coach Mike T(omlin), I ran out onto the field, and he said you look like you're in shape. I said, no, I'm getting there though.

"I don't really want to press them about things because I know they deal with a lot. I feel like if they see me busting my tail and trying to get to the ball or whatever it may be, that'll click.

"You see that when you watch film with Payton (Wilson). Payton gets to the ball every single play. And it's hard to do. So, stuff like that motivates me to go even harder and try to get to the ball.

"So, I feel like it's always a lead by example thing. But as far as if you see somebody not running to the ball, then it's like, hey, you should do that better."

Queen and Wilson are expected to be part of a strong group at inside linebacker, and he is excited about the progress from Wilson, the second-year linebacker who was impactful his rookie season.

"It's crazy because he came in and he's the same way he is when he came in," said Queen. "He just asks a thousand questions. He tries to be the best at everything that he does. He's eager to try new things and put himself out there making new plays, new techniques and doing new jobs.

"The sky's the limit for him, especially the way he's playing right now. Just in minicamp, and OTAs, I could tell how freaking good he's going to be this season so I can't wait to see that."

Plenty to gain:Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner didn't hold back when asked about Kenneth Gainwell, the free agent running back the team signed in the offseason.

"I love him," gushed Faulkner.

And he isn't just saying that.

You can tell just by the way his face lights up when he talks about his newest weapon.

"He's just a pro," said Faulkner. "He's got a pro demeanor when he walks in the building every day. I love him."

Gainwell was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 150th overall pick, and spent the last four seasons with the Eagles.

He has appeared in 66 games, including four starts, and carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards, a 4.2-yard average, and 12 touchdowns. Gainwell also has 102 receptions for 721 yards, a 7.1-yard average, and one touchdown. He also has 27 kickoff returns for 612 yards, a 22.7-yard average.

And on top of that, he was a member of the Eagles Super Bowl LIX championship team last year, and played in two Super Bowls.

"What a great addition," said Faulkner. "He is an unselfish guy. He's fresh off of a Super Bowl, so he's bringing in that expertise and experience and sharing it with the guys. He's been a great addition.

"I think more than anything, he can offer a snapshot of what it takes to prepare. Things from team chemistry, camaraderie, a synergy that they experienced last year and maybe things he can carry over to elevate our team.

"I've given him full autonomy to do that and speak and be a leader in that way and he's been great that way. He'll just interject in meetings that I see it like this or maybe we should think about doing it like that. I just don't want him sitting on his hands and feeling like he can't add that value, add some content, to what we're discussing. He picks and chooses his spots to do that."

Gainwell said he did similar things in Philadelphia and is hoping what he brings to the table helps his new teammates get to the same place he was at the end of last season, hoisting the Super Bowl trophy.

"That's another way to be a leader," said Gainwell. "I went to multiple Super Bowls and can give every guy that's in that room a picture of how it is.

"It's basically a togetherness type of message. If we can do this thing collectively and together, we can take this thing a long way. We all know that, but we've got to prove it."

Taking big steps:The Steelers finished their three-day mandatory minicamp, the last step before the players have a break and then head to Saint Vincent College for training camp.

And there has been progress all around, especially from some of the younger players.

Rookie linebacker Carson Bruener, selected in the seventh round out of Washington, feels good about the progress he has made, and sees it continuing through minicamp.

"I feel like the biggest difference the first week of OTAs to the second week is I'm starting to feel more comfortable being here," said Bruener. "The routine's starting to solidify in that aspect. The first week, coming in and learning the practice schedule, was an adjustment. And it's continuing this week.

"When we got here, we were running around, trying to figure out where everything is. We were finding out what we are doing, what time we are doing it. Now we're starting to settle into that. So, it's been a lot better.

"And on the field, it's been the same."

For Bruener, the football aspect has been what he expected, continually learning new things, but relying on his athletic ability and football IQ to adjust.

It's been everything else that comes flying at a rookie that has been an adjustment, but one that is coming along strong.

"It's a new environment," said Bruener. "For me, obviously I was born here, I've got ties here. But I've been on the West Coast for a long time, so coming back here has been an adjustment.

"It's been fun. I absolutely love it here in Pittsburgh. It is definitely an adjustment. Only knowing a few people and just new environment, new people, it takes some time to get used to."

Like some of his fellow rookies, Bruener has been relying on the veterans in the linebacker room to help him with the adjustment, both on and off the field.

And they haven't let him down.

"It's been awesome," said Bruener. "There's a lot of great linebackers in that room, and I feel like I've been able to learn a lot from them already. There's great leadership from Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, the entire room I've been able to talk to.

"There's nobody saying, hey rookie, go do this. They're taking me under their wing, and that's really helped me out a lot."

Making the transition easy:There are a lot of difficult adjustments rookies have to make when coming to the NFL, but one that has been easy for this year's rookie class is adapting to their new head coach.

Coach Mike Tomlin has been a breath of fresh air for all of the rookies, someone they already feel close to and know that he always has their best interest at heart.

"It's been awesome," said linebacker Jack Sawyer. "He's definitely a player's coach, competitive, likes to get the energy going. I love it so far.

"He's been one of the best coaches in the league for a long time now and his resume speaks for itself and it's great."

One thing you hear from player after player about Tomlin is he always remains the same, and it's something they welcome, especially younger players.

"Coach Tomlin is the man," said quarterback Will Howard. "He is like the salt of the earth. He's the same guy every day. He's consistent, and I love that about him. That's what you're going to get.

"You're not getting surprised ever with him."

Linebacker Carson Bruener is no stranger to Tomlin, getting to know him over the years through his dad, former Steelers tight end and current scout Mark Bruener.

Knowing what Tomlin brings to the table makes Bruener even happier to play for someone he has known for quite some time.

"It's a dream come true, absolutely," said Bruener. "Obviously, knowing of him, knowing him for a long time has been special.

"Being here, being able to be in meetings while he's leading them, it's something that I always thought I can do and be a part of. Now being here, the way he leads us in the meetings, it makes it that much more real and incredible."

Then and now:The paths of Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth first crossed back in 2006 in Green Bay, when Arth was a young QB and Rodgers a slightly younger phenom. It's a time Arth recalled with great appreciation.

"First of all, I recognized his talent immediately," Arth remembered. "I had just come from Indianapolis and spent three years with Peyton (Manning) and obviously saw the way he played and the way he threw the ball and all those things. It was really immediate to me, seeing Aaron and saying, 'Man, this guy's got some really special gifts.' The arm talent and the athleticism, the release, all those things are so evident.

"But also, just his approach to the game. He's a very intelligent person and I was able to see that in him as a young player. That was his first offseason, going into his second year in the league. You already sensed, 'OK, this guy's playing on a little bit of a different level than most.'

"We got along very well, played a lot of golf, ate a lot of meals. There's not a lot to do up in Green Bay, so he was awesome. That was a really special time in my life and really fortunate to have had that experience."

They've reunited with Arth having transitioned into coaching and Rodgers working his way toward his 42nd birthday in December. And with Arth still marveling at what Rodgers can do with the football.

"I still think he's at the top of his game," Arth continued. "I think he's a top quarterback in the league. You go through in free agency and you watch all the available free agents and quarterbacks, Aaron was extremely impressive. He still throws the ball very well, he's accurate, he's so smart. And you can see his decision-making, doesn't take a lot of sacks, doesn't turn the ball over.

"It was an exciting opportunity when that started to become a possibility for us. I was really hopeful that it would all work out and I'm glad it did."

Arth turned 44 in May and never played a snap in the NFL. Rodgers is 41 and eventually bound for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

And they've been friends since that long-ago offseason in Green Bay. But Arth maintains their shared history is one of the reasons he anticipates they'll work well together.

"It's just part of that relationship and realizing from my perspective there's so much to learn from Aaron, so much to learn from his experience and how he sees things, how he sees the game," Arth said. "I think part of our relationship now, coach-player type of relationship, is me understanding that, understanding how he sees it. The ways that he's been coached in the past, that's important to me, what's worked, what hasn't, what's helpful to him, what isn't.

"Those are all things that we're going to talk through and work out as we prepare for (training camp in) Latrobe and the season beyond."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Wednesday, June 11

Building a bond:It's a time of year when relationship building in football is just as important as what is transpiring on the field.

And for receiver DK Metcalf and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it's a relationship that is starting to really take effect.

"Just a step closer to football, a step closer to solidifying the team and the product that we're going to put out there on the field this season," said Metcalf. "Just excited to get to work. I know it's a first look here in a team setting with Aaron, so just to see what type of teammate he is, just excited with everything that he brings to the table."

While the two aren't necessarily getting a lot of work on the field just yet as Rodgers adapts to the offense, they are building a bond that will help when training camp rolls around in July. It all started when Metcalf messaged Rodgers this offseason to get together and throw some in March.

Metcalf said he learned a lot right off the bat about his new quarterback, including his approach to the game, and hopes to continue to learn more in minicamp and potentially more workouts before the start of training camp.

"Just how cerebral he is and how he views the game," said Metcalf. "I like the way he views the game from a receiver standpoint, but also from a quarterback standpoint. I think I can gain a lot of knowledge just from being around him because he's seen a lot of football.

"I'm just trying to soak up as much information as I can."

The two didn't just spend time on the field in March, but also getting to know each other off the field, including indulging in some trivia.

Now, the knowledge of each other is continuing to grow.

"I think it's still a work in progress, we're still growing," said Metcalf. "Besides being teammates, I think he's a great person off the field. I can learn a lot from him in life and about the game.

"When I was chilling with him one time, we were just doing trivia questions. We would name a player, and I would have to say their college or their nickname while they were playing. He's a fun person to be around. He's going to test me cerebrally. So, just looking forward to the continued conversations, the continued workouts.

"And hopefully we can put a product on the field that can last a lifetime."

Metcalf played with Russell Wilson, who started for the Steelers in 2024, during their time with the Seahawks. He said he sees both similarities and differences in the two quarterbacks and is ready for his opportunity to catch passes from another potential Hall of Famer.

"I will say they're similar with how they approach the game," said Metcalf. "They're very professional, going to hold people accountable in the offense and in the team setting. They're going to work their butts off when they're out here and they're going to make you come up to their level of competitiveness out there on the grass. So, that's what I like about them.

"The difference is they're two completely different people, two completely different quarterbacks with how they play the game of football.

"I think that's the unique thing about this game is you've got people that play same position like me and Calvin (Austin) or Russ and Aaron. But they play it in their own unique way."

And what does he like about the unique way Rodgers plays?

"How quickly he releases the ball and me getting off the line of scrimmage fast, I think is one thing that stands out," said Metcalf. "Also, his playmaking ability after a play breaks down or him to contort his arm a different way just to get the ball out.

"I think he's unique and it's going to help not only me, but a lot of receivers and tight ends in the offense."

Picking things up:The last few days have been a learning experience for safety Juan Thornhill, who signed with the Steelers in the offseason, but minicamp is his first time taking part in the team's offseason program.

"It was great. Amazing, honestly, just watching them, how they operate," said Thornhill of his initial impression of the defense and the overall team approach. "I am just trying to get filled in and play as hard as I can. It's just watching everybody. And the intensity of practice is unbelievable.

"It's all about the intensity, how hard everybody plays, how much we compete, the way that guys are going after the ball, it's unbelievable.

"It's really hard to explain."

Thornhill, who is entering his seventh season in the NFL, signed a one-year contract during free agency. He has appeared in 87 games, starting 74. He has 335 career tackles, 232 of them solo stops, eight interceptions, including one returned for a 46-yard touchdown his rookie season, six tackles for a loss, one sack, 24 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Thornhill was a part of two Super Bowl Championship teams, Super Bowl LIV and LVII, with the Kansas City Chiefs and spent the last two years with the Cleveland Browns.

And now, he is happy to be wearing black and gold.

"When you have a team that's out there willing to make each other better, each and every week, that's how you enjoy it," said Thornhill. "That's how you have fun. If you're just out there just going through the motions and not really competing, what's the point? That is what I enjoy."

Thornhill has joined a secondary that is now loaded all around, including fellow safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott, and it doesn't stop there.

"There are elite guys at every position," said Thornhill. "We have corners that can lock anybody up, safeties that can tackle and that can lock anybody up as well. We have a lot of guys that can step in. If one guy goes down, or one guy is tired, we have another guy that's coming in. It's going to be fun."

The addition of Thornhill brings another solid veteran to the position, but despite being a veteran, he said he is also open to learning from those around him.

"I'm that type of person that I can get advice from anybody," said Thornhill. "You can always learn. There are rookies here that might know something that you don't know. I tell the rookies all the time, if you see something with me that I could do better, let me know, communicate it. That's how we make each other better. I don't want to ever push a guy away because he's younger than me, because everybody has something that they can offer and bring to the team.

"I definitely try to help to help the younger guys. Right now, I am still learning the playbook. But any other advice, on or off the field, I'm definitely that guy that you can come to."

And one piece of advice he would offer to any rookie or young player before training camp is simple.

"A lot of guys think it's the lifting, those quick twitchy drills that you need to focus on before camp," said Thornhill. "You need to do those as well.

"But the main thing you need to focus on is running. It's that simple. Run miles, run fast, run hard as you can, because that's what you're going to be doing in camp."

Next man up:As a rookie back in 2021 tight end Pat Freiermuth was issued a locker next to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Steelers' UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Freiermuth still has a home next to the QB, but the identity of his locker mate keeps changing.

"It's like a new guy every year there for me," Freiermuth noted.

The nameplate at the adjacent locker these days reads "Rodgers." And Freiermuth is enthusiastic about continuing to build a relationship with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

"We've been texting a little bit," Freiermuth continued. "He seems like a great guy. Looking forward to building a relationship with him and getting ready to go.

"Just like anyone else, talk to him, get to know him a little bit outside of football, understand what he's looking for on and off the field. Just like any other relationship, getting to know the guy outside the helmet and then taking it to football."

Freiermuth maintained he already has a handle on what stands out when Rodgers is throwing the football.

"Obviously, his arm strength," Freiermuth assessed. "His ability to place the ball where the play-makers can make plays.

"I'm just excited to catch footballs from him and kinda be there for him whenever he needs it. I'm excited to be able to work with him on the field."

Freiermuth is, likewise, excited about the potential of the offense as it lurches toward eventual readiness for 2025.

"Obviously, we're expecting to be pretty explosive on offense, pretty efficient," Freiermuth said. "Just like every single year we're gonna pride ourselves on physicality and we're going to go how the offensive line goes. They're a young but great group. We're excited to get going."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Azzanni bullish on Austin:Though one is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and the other is 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni believes that DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin compliment each other's attributes well.

Both Metcalf, acquired via trade in the offseason, and Austin possess sub-4.4-second speed, which makes them a dangerous pairing. Metcalf, a two-time Pro Bowl player, obviously possess a size element that can challenge a defense, as well. But Austin's speed creates separation.

"Everyone overlooks (Austin)," Azzanni said. "That guy's a legit NFL receiver. I know he's (not very big) but you don't just get separation all over the field. He'll bite your face off in the run game. Nothing affects him. He's a great leader. He can do a lot of things that I guess a (No. 2 receiver) can do, and then everyone else is battling for a spot, and it's going to be by committee, which I'm OK with, because there's a lot of really cool little pieces there that you know are sneaky.

"And so everyone's downplaying, underplaying our group right now. I love it that way. I don't really want anyone looking at us anyway. It'll be good. So I think that No. 2 spot is Calvin's right now. And really, you know, him and DK are such different players that, you know, there's going to be plays where he is the one guy, because that's his route, and vice versa, because they're so different in stature."

Austin is coming off his best season in 2024 after catching 36 passes for 548 yards and four touchdowns last season. Azzanni believes he can be even better in 2025. That came after Austin missed his entire rookie season in 2022 with a foot injury, then came back to catch 17 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown in 2023.

"I am really excited about his future, because he's gotten better and better, and he did it all season," Azzanni said. "He's a different player than he was a year ago, and that's a testament to him how he works. He's able to take coaching, he's able to take criticism. Those are good things."

-- Blog entry by Dale Lolley

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.