Amid all the unfamiliar faces and tweaks to Steelers training camp, general manager Omar Khan remains a through line from the old to the new.
And head coach Mike McCarthy brings with him a fresh perspective, but a born-and-bred sense of what this three-week period means to his team.
It's Khan's 26th season in the organization, with just about the same number of summer trips to Latrobe, a place he's come to know well and love. And for Khan, it never gets old.
"I want to start by just thanking this community and Father Paul [Taylor] and everyone at Saint Vincent [College] for allowing us to be here and for welcoming us," Khan said Tuesday. "It's special. The people here are great."
There will be differences for 2026 — an indoor field the team can use on campus, the annual night practice on a Saturday, earlier start times for the group — but the goal remains the same. This is where the Steelers launch what they hope will be a championship season.
McCarthy and Khan have put their heads together to brainstorm ideas for tweaks, adjustments and logistical improvements. They know perfection might be unattainable, but they're striving to put together a perfect environment to achieve success.
"The function of it, just the way it flows, these 21 days of being here in Latrobe are critical for us," McCarthy said of his first camp with the Steelers. "I look at these as foundation days, and we couldn't have a better setting for that."
Steelers players arrive at Saint Vincent College ready to start the 2026 training camp
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Tamon Lynum (42) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Robert Spears-Jennings (28) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Gennings Dunker (73) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (71) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and offensive tackle Dylan Cook (60) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) and offensive lineman Doug Nester (72) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Doug Nester (72) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (10) and fullback Riley Nowakowski (37) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (71) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers Training Camp on Monday July 27, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Jordan Perez / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu (76) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Brock Hoffman (67) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard (18) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during player arrivals at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker (3), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) arrive at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker (3) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker (3) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (20) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back D'Shawn Jamison (38) arrives at Saint Vincent College for the 2026 Steelers training camp on on Tuesday July 28, 2026 in Latrobe, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Khan has done his part to put the roster together and make McCarthy have tough decisions, from the depth chart to the initial roster. Between free agency and new contracts to a busy draft weekend, this is where the competition begins.
McCarthy's already anticipating a difficult day when it comes time to cut down to 53. For one, there are four quarterbacks with pedigree and promise, be it short-term or long-term. There are backups with position versatility, special teams aces and rookies eager to contribute.
"I've been here the last couple years sometimes, back in my dorm room trying to look into ideas of adding guys at different positions. I'm not saying we're not going to or we couldn't at some point, but I just feel really good about where this roster is. I really do," Khan said. "I don't feel like there's a sense of urgency to jump into something else right now."
One of the most heated battles for a starting role will be on the offensive line, where Khan and McCarthy each had good news to share. Fourth-year tackle Broderick Jones has been cleared for practice to open camp after finishing last season on the reserve/injured list with a neck issue.
Jones is "progressing well," according to Khan, though it's to be determined which side of the line he'll play. Through his first three seasons, Jones has been adaptable enough to play both left and right tackle.
"Broderick is a starter-level player," McCarthy said. "He has position flexibility, and that's how we'll get him started. … We're going to work him back in."
Both Khan and McCarthy cautioned that they'll be smart with Jones, but that philosophy goes for everyone — and even everything they do in practice. McCarthy has led 18 training camps prior to this one, with the Packers and the Cowboys, and he's tried plenty of things across those tenures.
One approach he'll adhere to this summer is no live tackling. Not that any NFL team wants its practices to become a collision course similar to a real game, but there's something to be said for sacrificing some physicality in the name of keeping players upright.
"I feel like we'll be able to get it done in other ways of training, particularly in our tackling drills and the team drills," McCarthy said. "Injuries are part of the game, and I think you've clearly got to do the best you can, and it's a judgment. You try to reduce risk."
They'll save that for preseason games against guys in other jerseys, but they won't cut back on the identity they want to establish. After all, this is McCarthy's inaugural Steelers camp experience.
Khan was thrilled for the Steelers to hire McCarthy as head coach for any number of reasons, be it his track record of winning, his extensive work with quarterbacks, high-scoring offenses or just an innate attention to detail. But McCarthy's love for his hometown team doesn't hurt, either. And these three weeks are always something of an ode to Steeler Nation and what it means to forge a team out here.
"I think the biggest thing for me, the expectation is the competition," McCarthy said. "You've got to establish your play style. The identity of the Pittsburgh Steelers was identified back in the 1970s, so you don't just get to carry that forward. This gives you the opportunity to get the competition level where it needs to be, get as close to the fire as you possibly can."
