NFL Training Camp 2023: Steelers players arrive at Saint Vincent College

May 26, 2023

By Garrett Behanna

Updated on: July 26, 2023 / 11:06 AM / CBS Pittsburgh

The end of July marks the beginning of training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL.

Beginning Wednesday, July 26 through Aug. 17, 2023, veterans and fresh-faced rookies will gather at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., to hone their skills in anticipation of preseason and regular season football.

How will Kenny Pickett fare in his sophomore season as the Steelers' starting quarterback? Will rookies Broderick Jones and Joey Porter Jr. make immediate impacts?

We'll have updates on all sorts of Steelers action throughout the next couple of weeks right here.

LATROBE (KDKA) - Steeler Nation, it feels great to say - football is back!

Sort of, but the beginning of the season begins when the team arrives in Latrobe and that's just what happened on Wednesday.

WATCH: Live Report From Saint Vincent

Many are waking up this morning ready for the Steelers to get to work at Saint Vincent College, where the franchise has been getting to work since 1966.

Yesterday, the team began arriving on campus and while there were no chauffeurs or silly vehicles like in the past, we did get one laugh when long-snapper Christian Kuntz unloaded a massage chair.

A big deal heading into camp this year will be the lack of distractions. No contract disputes, no holdouts, and we know who will be QB1.

Kenny Pickett.

"It all starts with balance like I've been saying and getting those guys the ball in space," Pickett said. "I'm really excited, we've got 'Tae and George, the tight end room is really strong top to bottom and all those guys do different things really well, so we need to highlight their skillsets and get them the football where they can succeed."

"This is the second lap around the track for him like it is for all of our second-year players," added Head Coach Mike Tomlin. "I think it's reasonable to proceed with that knowing and that knowing to be displayed in their production and the consistency of their play. He's no different than any other second-year player in that regard, it's just that he's our quarterback. Kenny is hard-working and no-nonsense and a humble dude."

If you're heading out to practices this summer, this is what you need to know:

Most practices begin at 1:55 p.m., those practices are free but things are a little different this year. You will need a ticket to watch but they are free - you just have to get them through Ticketmaster.

The first practice in full pads will be on August 1 and there will be the return of the Friday Night Lights Practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium in downtown Latrobe on August 4.

Tickets for that will be $5.

Meanwhile, if you are heading to Saint Vincent, alcohol, video cameras, noise-makers, and smoking all are prohibited.

Gates will open this morning at 11 a.m.!

Running back Najee Harris entered Saint Vincent College, carrying his helmet with other belongings.

Najee Harris just showed up ready to work with his helmet @KDKA pic.twitter.com/MlmW4VVmn8

Harris is entering his third year with the team.

Cornerback Patrick Peterson, who signed with the Steelers as a free agent this offseason, has arrived in Latrobe.

Patrick Peterson’s first camp with the Steelers @KDKA pic.twitter.com/I9H9JW2CuD

Peterson is a 12-year veteran, previously playing for the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.

Long snapper Christian Kuntz has arrived at training camp, bringing what looks to be a massage chair for him and his teammates.

Modern version of roughing it😎😎Training Camp as Long Snapper ⁦Christian Kuntz @Ckuntz24 brings in the massage chair. #Steelers ⁦⁦@KDKA⁩ pic.twitter.com/nis5uNzbLP

Training camps can be physical, grueling affairs in the hot summer sun, so several players will likely get plenty of use out of Kuntz's chair.

All those workouts can be tough. Long snapper ⁦Christian Kuntz is hoping to stay relaxed by bringing his own massage chair.

Modern version of roughing it😎😎Training Camp as Long Snapper ⁦Christian Kuntz @Ckuntz24 brings in the massage chair. #Steelers ⁦⁦@KDKA⁩ pic.twitter.com/nis5uNzbLP

Christian Kuntz taking a luxury massage chair into the dorms @MySaintVincent @KDKA pic.twitter.com/IAD5a0Rh2o

2021 Defensive Player of the Year, T.J. Watt, has reported to training camp.

TJ Watt was looking for the pizza on his way in to his room at camp @KDKA pic.twitter.com/zGGuH7ujN2

In just 10 games played last season, Watt accrued 39 combined tackles, one forced fumble, 5.5 sacks, and two interceptions.

Second-year signal-caller Kenny Pickett has arrived at training camp, with a large gathering of media members surrounding the 25-year-old New Jersey native.

Kenny Pickett is at camp @KDKA pic.twitter.com/HoDFsKJ6OH

Pickett finished his rookie season with seven touchdowns, nine interceptions, a 63% completion percentage, and 2,404 passing yards.

Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is back and ready for some practice.

Minkah is here @KDKA pic.twitter.com/jpXtIKKMI9

Fitzpatrick, 26, is entering his fifth season as a member of the Steelers.

Broderick Jones, the No. 14 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, has arrived at Saint Vincent College for his first-ever NFL training camp via Uber.

Broderick Jones used @Uber to get to @MySaintVincent for @steelers Training Camp @KDKA pic.twitter.com/DOhjnEyJzP

Jones, a 6-foot-5, 311-pound offensive tackle from Georgia, signed his rookie contract last month, which was reported to be worth just over $16 million over four years.