LATROBE, Pa. -- After months and months of waiting for football to return, it's finally back.
Well, almost.
Players report to Saint Vincent College today for the start of training camp, with the first official practice taking place Thursday. So, yes, football is in the air. And in less than one week's time, we'll also get actual football activity when the players put on full pads for the first time on July 30.
With all the moves Omar Khan has made this offseason, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic. A complete revamp of the quarterback room that now includes Russell Wilson and Justin Fields gives the Steelers a better chance to have competent quarterback play, which is a breath of fresh air from the Mason Rudolph-less performances over the past two seasons. And, with the linebacker room getting significant upgrades by the additions of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, dare I say this defense -- at least on paper -- is a loaded as its been since the last time this team made the Super Bowl.
But, there are a few reasons to quell any level of optimism, even outside of a brutal schedule that will test this team down the stretch in November and December.
First and foremost, I'm most interested to see what Najee Harris has to say when he pulls up Wednesday to a couple dozen reporters outside the Rooney Hall, or if he even speaks at all. As far as we know, Harris planned to address the media at training camp after he declined every interview request during OTAs and minicamp. So, maybe Wednesday is the day.
All any of us can do is speculate until Harris speaks. Did he not speak because he was pissed off because the team declined his fifth-year option? Did he not speak because it was in his best interest for negotiating a new contract? Or, and this is plausible, did he not speak just because he doesn't really like talking to reporters?
Regardless, how Harris feels about his situation is at the forefront of what matters right now. The Steelers are banking on their running game as the strength of the offense, and no matter how much fans rightfully love Jaylen Warren, Harris is a huge part of that. So, yeah, how and when Harris finally breaks his silence is important.
Of course, Harris' contract situation isn't the only one worth tracking. When Cam Heyward shows up, I'd expect him to field questions about any updates regarding a potential extension. Though, I'd be surprised if we heard anything different than he said when he reported to OTAs in June.
While Heyward's contract situation is obviously going to be monitored closely, I'm actually more interested to see or hear what might be going on with Pat Freiermuth and Warren regarding their contracts. Both players are also entering the final year of their rookie deals, though Warren is set to be a restricted free agent since he'll only have three NFL seasons under his belt.
Both Freiermuth and Warren have done enough to earn a second contract in Pittsburgh. Freiermuth has shown more than just flashes of what he can do as a receiving tight end. And, given the fact that Arthur Smith loves to use tight ends in his offense, I expect big things for Freiermuth in Year 4.
And, of course, Warren's done nothing but get better ever since he turned heads right here two years ago when he came into camp as an undrafted free agent and won the No. 2 running back job outright. Based on his numbers, he's earned the right to be thought of as a guy that is worthy of a hefty contract. And, with the franchise opting to not pick up Harris' fifth-year option, perhaps Warren is in their long-term plans.
Wednesday is a good chance to hear their perspective. Do Freiermuth or Warren want to long-term deal in Pittsburgh? What does that look like? Is it at all possible that they are enough of a priority to negotiate such contracts during training camp?
But once reporting day is over and players have made whatever statements they deem necessary, the grind of training camp will begin. And, there's a lot riding on what happens over the next three weeks. While Mike Tomlin would probably prefer some of the younger players to step in and earn jobs right away, much like Warren did in 2022, winning football games is his No. 1 goal.
Sure, it'd be easier to just have Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier automatically earn the jobs they were drafted for, but Tomlin needs to make sure they're ready. This team can't afford to start off slow yet again, especially when the schedule is as tough as it is in the second half. A good start is a must.
Maybe that's why the Steelers decided to do something different, like participating in a joint practice with the Bills at Acrisure Stadium after training camp concludes just ahead of their preseason tilt on Aug. 17. Not only could working with another team create interesting ways to prepare for the upcoming changes to kickoffs, it could give Tomlin more opportunity to put younger players in positions that can better help him make decisions about who winds up where on the depth chart come September.
On paper, this Steelers team should be better than the 2023 squad. The only position that remains a glaring weakness is receiver, which obviously creates plenty of competition over the next three weeks. Quarterback, offensive line, inside linebacker, cornerback and safety are all improved positions, while running back and edge rusher remain as two of the strongest spots on the roster. Defensive line just needs some questions answered, specifically about Heyward's long-term health, Larry Ogunjobi's inconsistency and Keeanu Benton's second year.
Overall, this is a stronger roster. But how does it all play out on the football field? What does Smith's offense look like, specifically with how he's utilizing personnel? Sure, watching training camp reps are important for position battles such as having three capable tackles competing for two spots. But, how is Smith trying to utilize Wilson in terms of play-action, moving the pocket, using the middle of the field, etc.? Does it look like Harris is a good fit with the concepts that are going to be at the crux of this system?
It's these types of things that make covering training camp so much fun. There are so many nuances and levels to it. And, it's important to remember that the season isn't written based on what happens on Chuck Noll Field. I mean, after all, we're talking about practice.
But, there's no doubt that training camp is the tone-setter for the season. You get a good feel for how this team is going to fare in the upcoming season. Some of it is tangible and you can pinpoint to explain why certain things may work and others won't. And then some of it is just a feel, a vibe -- something way beyond excitement about training camp. It's how hard the players work, how invested they are in one another and how invested they are in the coaching staff's vision for the 2024 team. You can feel it when a team is buying in versus mailing it in.
By the time camp wraps in three weeks, we'll have a much better feel for this Steelers team. But first, just enjoy the first day from Saint Vincent College. I know I will.
