Steelers Training Camp Takeaways: Justin Fields has best day yet, rivalries form during Friday Night Lights

The biggest practice of the year happened on Friday Night, with the Pittsburgh Steelers welcoming over 12,000 fans to Latrobe Memorial stadium for their annual, Friday Night Lights scrimmage.

The team saved their energy for what was the most intense practice of camp yet, which is saying a lot considering back-to-back days of fights .

More on Fields, an emphatic Backs on Backers , and everything else of note from day eight of Steelers camp:

Justin Fields & George Pickens forming unbreakable bond

Not only did Fields put together his best practice of camp, but it was clear that he and budding star George Pickens were becoming almost telepathic in their connection.

Fields went 4-0 to open practice during Seven Shots , helping orchestrate a clean sweep and 7-0 win for the offense. That was just the start, however, as Fields would find George Pickens multiple times during 11on11 and also ended on a high note when he completed the red zone period with a TD to WR Calvin Austin III.

Russell Wilson practiced in the same capacity on Friday that he did all week, with full participation in individual and seven-on-seven periods, but no reps during Seven Shots and only giving handoffs in team period.

At this point, the situation at QB is playing out one of two days in my opinion. Either Russell Wilson is so solidified as the starter that the Steelers are playing it as safe as possible, or he's suffered some sort of setback and the team is keeping it quiet.

Either way, if Fields continues to play at this high of a level, forming relationships both on and off the field with his pass catchers, backs, and linemen, Pittsburgh is going to have a tough decision to make.

Backs on Backers Gets Chippy

Ater Seven Shots , the team went straight into backs on backers, but unlike Thursday's practice, it was a live drill and both sides let each other know it.

RB Najee Harris started things off by getting in the face of LB Patrick Queen after their rep, and that only escalated when Jaylen Warren and Elandon Roberts squared off after their set.

Steelers fans are happy to see the competitive juices flowing, even if that's been a little excessive this week . The rivalry between the running backs and linebackers is a healthy one, and I'm sure will be useful as the season nears.

Standout From Day Eight: EDGE Markus Golden

Fresh out of wherever Golden was residing, the veteran pass rusher joined the Steelers on Thursday , practicing right away. But it was on Friday that he showed why Pittsburgh brought him back in the first place.

Golden ran with Nick Herbig as the second team set of pass rushers, reportedly tearing it up in team run period and winning multiple pass rush reps later in practice.

Hard to believe he was still on the open market this late in the calendar, but Pittsburgh won't be complaining.

Injury Update

• LT Broderick Jones practiced in an elbow brace
• WR Roman Wilson was seen signing autographs in a walking boot following his ankle injury
• LB Kyron Johnson was still out with a Hamstring

Related: Steelers WR George Pickens blasts EA Sports after they issue him disrespectful Madden 25 rating