Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is just a couple weeks away as the team returns to Latrobe, Pennsylvania on July 26th, with their first practice taking place on July 27th.
This training camp will look much different than it has the last couple of years. There are some glaring obvious reasons for that.
After the team decided to conduct their training camp at Heinz Field the last two off-seasons due to COVID-19, they are returning to their normal location on the St. Vincent College campus for the first time since 2019.
The team had conducted their training camp at St. Vincent College every year from 1966-2019.
Another notable difference will be the absence of future Hall of Fame quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, donning the black and gold for the first time since 2003.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger at his first training camp in 2003. (Steelers.com)
In addition to those notable differences, it is the lack of guaranteed roles throughout the team that'll make this training camp unique compared to years past.
There are a few notable position battles every year as we enter training camp, but this season, almost no one's role appears to be safe. Obviously there are some exceptions including TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Here are the most notable position battles to keep an eye on once the Steelers step foot in Latrobe this year:
1) Who Will Be The Steelers Starting Cornerbacks?
The last couple seasons, the Steelers have had a lot of consistency within their secondary. Three starters have been locked down, including both safety spots and their #1 cornerback spot, which was previously occupied by Joe Haden.
Now it appears that three spots are open for competition, with Fitzpatrick the only one guaranteed their starting role in the secondary. The team has three cornerbacks who are all vying for a starting spot on the perimeter in Ahkello Witherspoon, Cam Sutton, and first-year Steeler, Levi Wallace.
The Pittsburgh Steelers secondary celebrates at Heinz Field (now Acrisure Stadium). (Getty Images)
In addition to the battle on the outside, there are also several guys fighting for a role in the team's nickel/dime packages. Arthur Mallet, Tre Norwood, and Damontae Kazee all are likely competing for these two spots in the slot and as the Steelers third safety. That list doesn't include the previously mentioned Sutton, who could look to return to being the team's starting nickel corner if he loses the battle on the perimeter.
This group currently doesn't have a clear #1, as well as a lot of bodies fighting for the same snaps. This may be the deepest secondary unit we have seen on this team in a while, and definitely will be fun to watch these guys bring the best out of each other.
2) Steelers' Backup Running Back Has Never Been So Important
Last season, there was very little doubt as to who the Steelers top running back was going to be after the team selected Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, he ended up being the only running back in 2021 to play more than 85% of a team's offensive snaps.
That absolutely cannot repeat in 2022.
The Steelers did not commit any significant capital, whether it be draft picks or money in free agency, to the running back position this off-season. This would lead one to believe incumbent backups Anthony McFarland and Benny Snell would be in line to assume the #2 role. That may not be the case.
Both McFarland and Snell have underperformed to this point in both of their respective careers, and no one in Steeler Nation would deny that. That leaves the door open for two undrafted free agents, Mateo Durant (Duke) and Jaylen Warren (Oklahoma State), to work their way into that role.
The battle between these four backs will be intense, and an important one if the team wants to be able to avoid running Harris into the ground.
3) Is Devin Bush's Starting Position Secure?
Along with the Steelers secondary, the team's linebacking core has some really strong depth on the inside. It appears as though the starters are set with Devin Bush and first-year Steeler, Myles Jack, but is that in fact the case?
Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-year linebacker, Devin Bush. (Getty Images)
Both Jack and Bush struggled this past season, Jack's struggles coming while he was in Jacksonville. Bush was in his first season after recovering from a torn ACL and didn't have much of an off-season as he spent almost the entire duration of it rehabbing.
With that being said, it appears Jack is positioned to be one starter based on the contract the Steelers gave him. However, Bush's spot may not be as certain.
Bush's fifth-year option was declined by the team back in May and there are some young and talented linebackers fighting for his spot alongside Jack.
All three of Ulysees Gilbert III, Buddy Johnson, and Mark Robinson are going to be fighting for playing time on top of hoping to get a roster spot locked down. Add in Robert Spillane to that mix who has starting experience in this defense, and this battle could be a hot one starting in late July.
4) How Will The Steelers Utilize All Their Wide Receivers?
The Steelers wide receiver core will look a lot different this year, as they let three members of the 2021 group walk in free agency and added several new faces through the draft and free agency.
It appears as though the top two spots are locked down with fourth and third year players Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool both having clear paths to return to their roles from last season. However, neither is a 100% guarantee as Claypool has been inconsistent at times and Johnson is looking for a new contract.
Even with that being said, both of those guys will likely be Week 1 starters without issue. Who fills in behind them however, is a much bigger question.
Anthony Miller is the lone veteran of the group that has any meaningful starting experience, but he will still have an uphill battle. The team added Miles Boykin and Gunner Olszewski in free agency, then spent two high draft picks on rookies George Pickens (Georgia) and Calvin Austin III (Memphis).
Neither Boykin or Olszewski have made large impacts on offense thus far in their three-year careers, as Boykin played in a run-first offense in Baltimore, and Olszewski has been mainly a special teams player in New England. Boykin does have tremendous upside though with an intriguing height/speed combination.
Pickens and Austin III both should see some action throughout the season due to their unique skillsets, but will they be able to beat out the veterans Boykin and Miller? One of these unproven options will need to step up in order to help the Steelers offense get out of the basement for 2022.
5) Taking Over For Ben Roethlisberger
Shocking, I know. The most talked about position battle is undoubtedly going to remain the battle for the starting quarterback position which is focused around Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. I guess you can throw Mason Rudolph into the mix as well for the time being, since he does have the most experience with this team.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks from left to right, Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Chris Oladokun at 2022 OTA's. (Steelers.com)
This is one that it won't be easy to know if the team makes the right decision coming out of camp until at least mid-season, and maybe even later.
Trubisky has a clear leg up on Pickett since he has several seasons of starting experience and spent last season learning under Brian Daboll, who has been viewed as a very good teacher for the quarterback position in recent years.
Pickett coming in as a rookie will definitely have a learning curve, and it might not be one he is able to overcome quickly. With three players fighting for the QB1 spot, there won't be as many reps as there usually would be available to give a rookie QB as much help as possible. This same reason is why Rudolph can't be counted out.
Rudolph is someone that no one in Steeler Nation is betting on to take the first snap under center Week 1. He is someone that most are probably betting will be traded before the regular season starts. With that said, he is still the only QB on the roster that has experience with offensive coordinator Matt Canada and starting experience for the Black and Gold.
This one may not be decided in training camp and will probably linger into the preseason. That won't stop everyone from keeping a close eye on this position battle however, as who wins the team's starting QB position is the most important decision Head Coach Mike Tomlin may have to make between now and Week 1.
Any position battle that you will be keeping an eye on as the Steelers arrive in Latrobe? Let us know in the comment section below what you will be looking for at the Steelers training camp!
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