Steelers set mandatory minicamp June 8–12

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ mandatory minicamp begins on Tuesday, June 2, not June 8, according to the team’s official 2026 offseason calendar. Steelers.com published the dates in April and listed the club’s three-day mandatory minicamp for June 2-4, with the final four organized team activity sessions scheduled for June 8, June 9, June 11 and June 12. Steelers Wire published a June 1 item that said the minicamp runs June 8-12, but that span matches the Steelers’ OTA dates on the club calendar. Aaron Rodgers is expected to draw much of the attention as Pittsburgh opens the mandatory portion of its spring program. Yahoo Sports reported on June 1 that the Steelers know Rodgers will be their starting quarterback in 2026, while the longer-term succession question remains unresolved around younger quarterbacks on the roster. ### Why is there confusion over the dates? Steelers.com listed the team’s mandatory minicamp as Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4, in a post headlined “Dates are set for 2026 minicamps, OTAs.” The same item listed OTA No. 7 on June 8, OTA No. 8 on June 9, OTA No. 9 on June 11 and OTA No. 10 on June 12. Steelers Wire’s June 1 story used the June 8-12 window in describing mandatory minicamp. The club’s official calendar separates those dates into OTAs, which are voluntary, and a three-day minicamp that begins June 2. ### What is mandatory minicamp, and how is it different from OTAs? The NFL’s offseason rules allow clubs to hold a three-day mandatory veteran minicamp, and the Steelers’ official schedule lists that session on June 2-4. The same calendar notes that the schedule is subject to change, but the posted format follows the standard split between OTA practices and a separate mandatory camp. Mike McCarthy’s first offseason in Pittsburgh also gave the Steelers an extra voluntary minicamp in April because teams with new head coaches are permitted that additional session. Steelers.com said the Steelers held that voluntary minicamp on April 20-22 before moving into OTAs that began May 18. ### Why is Rodgers the main storyline this week? Yahoo Sports reported on June 1 that Rodgers will be Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback in 2026. The report came in a story about rookie quarterback Will Howard and framed Rodgers as the established first option entering the season. Aaron Rodgers, 42, re-signed with Pittsburgh on a one-year deal in May, according to reports from Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports. His return reunited him with head coach Mike McCarthy and kept the quarterback position at the center of the Steelers’ offseason coverage. ### Who else is likely to draw attention in Pittsburgh? Steelers Wire said media focus during minicamp will also fall on defensive captain Cam Heyward and edge rusher T.J. Watt. Both are among the team’s most prominent veteran leaders, and both have been regular points of attention during spring and training-camp availability in past seasons. The UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh is the site for the team’s offseason work, and mandatory minicamp typically gives reporters one of the clearest late-spring chances to gauge attendance and hear from top players before training camp. ### What happens after this week? Thursday, June 4, is the final day of the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp on the official team calendar. Monday, June 8, then begins the last block of OTA practices, with additional sessions on June 9, June 11 and June 12, according to Steelers.com.