Top Steelers storylines as training camp opens this week
It’s hard to believe but the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 Training Camp is finally here. Fans have waited all year for football to finally return and the beginning of formal team practices, including those in helmets and pads, signals the start of a new season.
As the team reports to its training camp headquarters at Saint Vincent’s College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, there are a number of storylines to look at. From position battles to new faces, we cover which of those angles will be the most talked about over the coming weeks.
The new quarterbacks in town
Probably the top story heading into training camp is that of the Steelers quarterback depth chart. For the last two seasons Pittsburgh has had three passers competing in camp for the starting spot that was vacated by Ben Roethlisberger following the 2021 season.
In 2022, the team added Mitchell Trubisky as a free agent signing to pair with first round draft pick Kenny Pickett. Those two combined with incumbent backup Mason Rudolph to form a three-way competition that was eventually won by Trubisky, then by Pickett, and finally relinquished to Rudolph.
As we enter the 2024 season, the slate is wiped clean with a new trio of quarterbacks replaces the previous group as the Steelers signed veteran Russell Wilson and traded for former first-round pick Justin Fields as replacements. Kyle Allen was added as a third quarterback, completing the swap, but the story remains with the two players atop the depth chart.
Some fans are already placing bets as to whether Wilson can return to his previous Pro Bowl form while others are wagering when the younger Fields may step in as the future of the franchise. Regardless of which side you’re on, understanding odds and coefficients allows bettors to assess risk versus reward and make informed betting decisions at the top online casino in Latvia. Needless to say, this will be one of the hottest Steelers stories throughout the remainder of the summer.
Will Harris “hold in?”
The free agent running back market has been on the backburner as of late, with few veteran players receiving second contracts with their current teams. The spending philosophy at this position has shifted, with front offices using a committee of multiple players in the backfield and shying away from paying top dollar for running backs who have seemingly not produced once landing a big deal.
Steelers running back Najee Harris has been vocal on social media over the the last few offseasons about the money allocated for players at his position. After watching T.J. Watt and Diontae Johnson “sit in” while negotiating contract extensions during past training camps, it could be Harris’ turn to do the same as he enters the final year left on his rookie contract after Pittsburgh declined an option for a fifth-year.
With fellow running back Jaylen Warren set to be a restricted free agent next season, and be Harris’ potential replacement, it will be interesting to see how the latter handles his offseason business as the Steelers carry a tradition of not discussing contracts once the regular season begins.
Other potential contract extensions
Harris won’t be the only Steeler looking to get paid this offseason, as several other players enter the final year of their contracts. Notable among those players is long-time defensive captain Cameron Heyward. The 35-year-old hopes to rebound after missing six games due to injury in 2023.
Offensive guard James Daniels is another key contributor on the final year of his current deal. Daniels started fifteen games in 2023 and only allowed a single sack all season long. Tight end Pat Freiermuth could receive a contract extension too, as he was drafted the same year as Najee Harris and is operating on the final season of his original rookie contract.
It will be interesting to see if GM Omar Khan makes any major deals with currently signed players during the course of July and August. Should he do business as usual, these three, along with the running backs mentioned (Harris and Warren) are at the top of the list to get new contracts.
Wide receiver depth chart
Another well-talked about area on the Steelers roster is the quality and depth of the wide receivers. After trading Diontae Johnson and releasing Allen Robinson this offseason, third-year pro George Pickens becomes the top receiver on the team by default.
In Arthur Smith’s new offense, Pickens will have the opportunity to flourish. If he doesn’t, the rest of this group could fail with a group of relatively unknown players looking to fill the other online slot, such as Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller, as well as 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson.
While Pickens has shown he is capable of making big plays, he will have to show he is capable of being a “WR1” in the NFL. This could be the biggest wild card, much like in the game “Respin Joker 81,” where the joker symbols often serve as wilds or bonus triggers, enhancing the excitement and potential for substantial payouts in casino, similar to how Pickens could sway the odds in sports betting.
Inside linebacker rotation
Another area the Steelers have been trying to upgrade in what feels like forever is their inside linebackers group. Last season, the team signed veterans Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, and Kwon Alexander, but Holcomb and Alexander both ended up on injured reserve with season-ending injuries, leaving the position in flux.
With Holcomb’s return and Week 1 status still uncertain, Pittsburgh signed away rival Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen in free agency while drafting top college linebacker prospect Payton Wilson this offseason.
How Wilson, who fell to the third round due to missing a ligament in his knee, fits into the puzzle with Queen, Roberts, and Holcomb, will be monitored on a daily basis, as will the performance of Queen. (Who signed the largest defensive free agent contract in Steelers history.)
Should this group stay healthy and perform at a high level, it will give the Steelers their best inside linebackers duo since Ryan Shazier and Vince Williams terrorized defenses back in the mid-2010’s.
