Training camps are often ground zero for roster battles in the NFL – some more heated than others.
But despite a great deal of roster turnover, the Steelers have precious few true starting spots open going into their first training camp at Saint Vincent College since 2019.
There’s a competition – at least in name – for the team’s starting quarterback spot. And the left guard spot is up for grabs, though incumbent starter Kevin Dotson returns. There’s also a starting cornerback job open.
Other than that, however, the rest of the competition on this roster will be for backup jobs and spots on the 53-man roster.
So, let’s take a look at some of those competitions:
QUARTERBACK – Honestly, given the way the Steelers handled the quarterback position during their offseason the true competition here isn’t for the No. 1 job. Mitch Trubisky took the majority of the first-team snaps. Mason Rudolph worked at No. 2 and Kenny Pickett was clearly No. 3. Mike Tomlin said following the selection of Pickett in the first round of this year’s draft he would have an opportunity to compete for the starting job. Rudolph has a shot, as well. But Trubisky would have to lose the job more than anything. The real competition in the preseason will be between Rudolph and Pickett for the No. 2 job.
LEFT GUARD – Dotson started 10 games at left guard in 2021 but missed the final two months of the season with a high ankle sprain. Because of that, he owns just 14 career starts in his first two seasons. Kendrick Green struggled as a rookie at center last season in 15 starts, but he’ll be given a chance to unseat Dotson at guard, where he played in college. This comes down to the power of Dotson versus the mobility of Green.
LEFT CORNERBACK – With Joe Haden not re-signed, a spot is open opposite Cam Sutton. Levi Wallace, a four-year starter for the Bills, was signed in free agency, while Ahkello Witherspoon also was re-signed after filling in for an injured Haden late last season. The Steelers can keep Sutton on the outside in the base defense and slide him into the slot in the nickel and dime, or they can play Wallace and Witherspoon in the base and just use Sutton as the slot corner. They also have a bevy of other options available in the slot with Damontae Kazee, Tre Norwood and Arthur Maulet available. With the addition of Kazee, who can play free safety, they could even put Minkah Fitzpatrick in the slot if they so choose.
SLOT WIDE RECEIVER – There’s no question right now the Steelers’ top three receivers are Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and rookie George Pickens. But who replaces JuJu Smith-Schuster in the slot? Last season, Ray-Ray McCloud handled most of those duties with Smith-Schuster injured, but both left in free agency. Johnson is the Steelers’ best receiver at getting off press coverage, so it makes little sense to move him to the slot, which is what teams do to get receivers a cleaner release. So, perhaps Claypool fits there best – at least for now. Veteran Anthony Miller, who spent half the 2021 season on the practice squad, or rookie Calvin Austin also could factor into the equation there.
THIRD-STRING RUNNING BACK – Benny Snell has 255 career carries for 892 in his first three seasons. And he’s averaged 4.2 yards per carry in his five career starts. He’s also an accomplished special teams player. But the group behind him and Najee Harris – Anthony McFarland, Trey Edmunds, Mataeo Durant and Jaylen Warren – are either completely unproven or undrafted rookies. Will one of those players step forward and win a job, or will the Steelers have to look for outside help? And if they do sign a veteran, will he be No. 2 or No. 3?
BACKUP OUTSIDE LINEBACKER – Genard Avery and Derrek Tuszka are the most experienced guys behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Combined, they have 9.5 career sacks, 7.5 of which have come from Avery, a free agent signing. The rest of the group behind them is made up of undrafted or former undrafted players such as Tuzar Skipper and Tyree Johnson. Is that enough? We’ll see. Avery is better than many are giving him credit for, but he also wouldn't be someone you'd want to line up with in this defense for 17 games if something catastrophic were to happen to one of the starters.
