Pittsburgh Steelers: Training Camp Battles to Watch

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have multiple positional battles heading into their 2024 training camp.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had another very active offseason under general manager Omar Khan. However, lots of change brings even more uncertainty about who will be in the starting lineup come Week 1. These three position battles will be important for Steelers fans to keep an eye on once training camp starts.

Can Justin Fields supplant Russell Wilson at quarterback?

The Steelers needed a change at quarterback after Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitchell Trubisky threw for a combined 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. That’s precisely what they get after signing former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson in free agency and trading for former Chicago Bears QB Justin Fields. 

On paper, both players should be better than what Pittsburgh has had.

Wilson had double the number of touchdowns (26) and fewer interceptions (eight) than the Steelers’ quarterback trio in 2023. Meanwhile, Fields continued to flash some upside, throwing for 2,562 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 657 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Bears.

However, after disappointing campaigns with their former teams, both quarterbacks still have much to prove. With that said, only one man can win the job. Wilson has the “pole position” for now, but the battle should be closely watched during Steelers training camp.

Who will step up alongside George Pickens at wide receiver?

Outside of George Pickens, Pittsburgh has a lot of question marks at wide receiver. The team traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March, and only added depth pieces in free agency. The Steelers did select Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, but he projects more as a WR3 slot option.

That has led many to believe the Steelers will trade for a more established wide receiver to take over WR2 duties ahead of the 2024 season.

In the meantime, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins, and Scottie Miller (none of whom eclipsed 200 receiving yards in 2023), will battle for a chance to be Pickens’ complement in the passing attack.

Offensive tackle

Pittsburgh has put the finishing touches on its offensive line this offseason through the 2024 NFL Draft. The Steelers selected Washington OT Troy Fautanu in the first round, and West Virginia center Zach Frazier in the second round.

However, the rookies must earn their spots in the starting lineup. Frazier has the inside track at center, but the same can’t be said for Fautanu. With Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones on the roster, there’s a chance Fautanu could be eased into a starting position.

Jones, the Steelers’ first-round pick from a year ago, is the most significant factor in this battle. He spent a majority of his rookie season at right tackle. However, Pittsburgh has been open to moving him back to the left side, where he played during his collegiate career at Georgia.

If Jones can beat out Moore Jr. on the left side, then Fautanu will be the favorite to start at right tackle. However, that’s a big if, as he has held off several players throughout his first three years in the league.