Steelers and Broncos Skip Joint Practices in 2026 Preseason

In a notable shift for the upcoming 2026 NFL preseason schedule, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos have confirmed that they will not participate in any joint practices together. This decision marks a departure from previous years where such collaborative training sessions were common among competing teams looking to prepare for the regular season.

Joint practices typically allow players from opposing teams to scrimmage against one another, providing valuable reps and allowing coaches to evaluate talent in a game-like environment without the pressure of actual competition. However, for the 2026 preseason cycle, both organizations have opted out of this tradition entirely. The Steelers and Broncos will conduct their own separate training camps, focusing on internal team dynamics rather than cross-team interaction.

This move may reflect broader trends in how NFL teams approach preseason preparation. With an increasing emphasis on player safety and workload management, some franchises are choosing to limit unnecessary physical contact during the pre-season. By skipping joint practices, both the Steelers and Broncos can control the intensity of their players' workouts more strictly, potentially reducing the risk of non-game injuries.

Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts the teams' readiness when the regular season begins. Without the opportunity to test their strategies against a familiar rival in practice, both coaching staffs must rely on internal scrimmages and simulated game scenarios to prepare their rosters. The absence of joint practices also means that early-season matchups between these two teams may reveal new tactical approaches that have not been publicly displayed during training camp.

While the specific reasons for this decision have not been detailed in official statements, the outcome is clear: the 2026 preseason will feature no joint sessions between Pittsburgh and Denver. This sets a distinct tone for both franchises as they head into their respective camps, prioritizing individual team development over collaborative preparation.