The Steelers have completed a few training camp practices thus far. Although the team is relieved that football is back and that games will soon begin, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. This will be very important throughout camp.
This roster has produced a number of winners thus far who are rising quickly up the depth chart. Even though it’s really early, these players have already put in a lot of useful practice. However, some players have also fallen behind the previously stated rising stars because they haven’t done enough thus far.
Specifically, after five practices, these Steelers are starting to lose their hold on a roster place.
Cory Trice Jr. is not a key member of the Steelers.
Cory Trice, one of the most anticipated players coming into camp, hasn’t made the kind of impact that many had anticipated. Though he had a great rookie season, it was cut short as he missed his first year due to an injury sustained during training camp. He was one of the players who many were keeping an eye on over the offseason, with some even projecting him to challenge for the position of second outside cornerback.
That hasn’t been the case so far. He has been sparingly used so far, and for a former seventh-round pick who isn’t a roster lock, that can’t be a good thing. On top of this, Darius Rush has had a solid start to his first training camp with the team. With other veterans vying for spots, Trice has to recapture some of the play that made him a fan favorite last year. If not, he could quickly be jettisoned off the roster.
Steelers have moved on from Mark Robinson
This has to be one of the more curious players on the roster in recent memory. Mark Robinson shined as a rookie in camp and during the preseason and even saw some defensive snaps as a rookie. The team rewarded him by revamping the linebacker room and sending him to the bench with the designation that 2024 could be his year. Following the additions of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, that doesn’t seem likely.
What has killed all of his momentum is the reunion with Tyler Matakevich. A special teams star, Matakevich has to have the inside track for the final linebacker spot on the roster. In Robinson’s defense, he hasn’t had a horrible start to camp, but he needs to have the best few weeks of his career to make himself uncuttable. That hasn’t been how things have started, and his odds of making the team are growing worse by the day.
Defendensive linemen are outplaying Isaiahh Loudermilk
Before training camp got underway, it looked like Isaiahh Loudermilk was on the inside looking out. He had firmly entrenched himself as the backup last year, and while his play isn’t anything special, it was at least consistent. So far though, just about everything has gone wrong for him during this year’s camp.
One of the earliest standouts from camp has been fellow lineman DeMarvin Leal. He is fighting for a roster spot but has been all over the field so far in training camp. Rookie Logan Lee has also started to flash in limited work. With Dean Lowry likely locked into a roster spot once healthy, Loudermilk has to catch up to the current standouts on the roster if he wants to remain on the team.
Pittsburgh has a replacement for Cameron Sutton
From a football perspective, the reunion with Cameron Sutton was a savvy one. The Steelers have a massive hole at slot cornerback, and Sutton plays the best there. Even with his impending suspension, he could feasibly come back and start once eligible. For a veteran minimum contract, that seems like a good deal.
Beanie Bishop, the undrafted rookie out of West Virginia, has been an early camp darling. He has seen almost exclusive reps as the starting slot cornerback, and by all reports, he has held his own in that role. If he continues to shine, the team may decide that they don’t need Sutton at all. That decision won’t have to be made immediately, Sutton won’t count toward the roster while suspended nor will he be paid. If Bishop shines though, the Steelers could easily decide to cut bait with Sutton.
Steelers haven’t gotten a healthy Russell Wilson
Arguably the biggest news out of training camp so far for the Steelers has been Russell Wilson not practicing yet for the team. A sore leg has kept him from participating to this point. While the team is being overly cautious, as they should be right now, it has also opened the door for Justin Fields to work as the first-team quarterback.
It hasn’t been perfect, but through a few practices, the good has been better than the bad. While Wilson’s actual roster spot isn’t up for grabs unlike the other names on this list, his firm hold on the starting quarterback role is loosening. He will get first dibs when healthy, but with Fields looking part behind him, he needs to deliver the best version of himself that was promised.
If he doesn’t, it would make sense for the team to explore Fields more as the primary starter.
