T.J. WATT | PHOTO BY KARL ROSER/PITTSBURGH STEELERS

It started with quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ first 11-on-11 pass with the Steelers — resulting in an interception by inside linebacker Patrick Queen.

It ended with a handoff from quarterback Skylar Thompson to running back Evan Hull for a non-tackling-drill touchdown run.

In between, the Steelers showed the masses that made the daily trek to Saint Vincent College who they are, if not what they’re destined to become.

We won’t know about the latter until if and when they reach the postseason.

But what transpired starting on July 23 was nonetheless revealing.

-There was a declaration of bravado from head coach Mike Tomlin, a proclamation that was made before the Steelers had hit the practice field for the first time and Queen had spoiled Rodgers’ much-anticipated first pass.

“We can match up and play man-to-man versus anyone,” Tomlin boasted, noting the offseason acquisitions of cornerbacks Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey and even Brandin Echols.

It sounds great in theory.

We’ll see.

• There was Rodgers to wide receiver DK Metcalf, seemingly always the first play of a given practice period, whether the Steelers happened to be working “Seven Shots,” or “Pass Under Pressure” or “Third Down.” This is the connection upon which the fate of the passing game rests, so they made sure to rep it relentlessly. I asked someone if the first-play-of-the-period thing between the two was by design. I was told ‘no,’ but Rodgers always goes to the open man, and Metcalf is always open.
• There was Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt running hoops (a pass-rush exercise) and then jogging sideline to sideline during a special teams period while almost everyone else was seeking shelter from the oppressive heat by sitting on a shaded bench. Eventually offensive linemen Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick and Troy Fautanu started jogging. Soon thereafter jogging sideline to sideline when not involved with a practice rep spread throughout the roster.
• There was Heyward betraying what really matters to him most by publicly confirming he had stopped practicing because he doesn’t feel valued by the Steelers. Heyward hasn’t ruled out sitting out games in the regular season due to his unwillingness to accept the terms of a contract he signed last season — one that included a $13.45 million bonus. Heyward had achieved icon status among present day Steelers. He’ll be viewed much differently until if and when he starts playing like an All-Pro again.
• There was Rodgers, always Rodgers, giving all he could give of himself to his new teammates on and off the field and in the process removing any and all doubt as to why he was here after having taken what seemed like an eternity to agree to sign with the Steelers. “If you play this game and at the end all you have is your stats and records and accolades, you miss out on the greatest gift this has to offer,” the four-time NFL MVP explained. “That’s these crazy guys in the locker room. And the relationships and the friendships and the pranks, and the trips down to Meadows over here, which is a great custard spot in Latrobe, shout out to Meadows. Just all those little things that make this game so special. “You know, when I meet up with our former teammates we don’t talk about the stats. We don’t talk about the games. We talk about the inside jokes. We talk about the pranks. We talk about the road trips. We talk about the connection points, the parties that we had, the Thanksgivings that were hosted. “It’s the relationships that really are special about this game, and I wanted one more crack at it.” Added Tomlin: “He can’t hide his love affair that he has with this game. And his willingness to share that love with others, man, it makes for good bones for a team when you have a leader that’s moving in that mindset and in that spirit.”
• There was tight end Darnell Washington, still 6-foot-7 but noticeable, for a change, in the passing game, as he was in the preseason opener at Jacksonville. Safety Miles Killebrew called Washington a “human cheat code.” That may yet pay dividends if the Steelers decide to throw it to him when it actually matters.
• There was Ramsay, not just providing the coverage Tomlin covets but also keeping the temperature hot, even on the rare days when it wasn’t sizzling on the practice field. Ramsey is an outstanding player but he’s also combative and combustible and not above helping to instigate or orchestrate scraps if he’s of the opinion that’s what’s needed. Much like Greg Lloyd back in the day, Ramsey wasn’t hired for his disposition.
• There was Tomlin acknowledging that he expects “big things” from his defense. “And when I say big things, I’m talking about historic things.” The standard is the standard.
• And last but not least there were the fans — a relentless parade of devotees that braved traffic, heat and parking hassles to attend practices and in the process provided environment, energy and support for which Tomlin was sincerely grateful. “It’s special, and I don’t know any other way to say it,” he maintained.

It always is at Saint Vincent.

Mike Prisuta is the sports anchor/reporter for Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show. He’s also the host of the Steelers Radio Network Pregame Show and the color analyst for Robert Morris University men’s hockey broadcasts.