The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the second week of 2022 training camp on Monday with several of storylines to look out for. Positional battles, injuries and much more will be discussed for the next month and a half until the regular season kicks off. Steelers fans from everywhere will attend camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA and should be focused on some important players and key topics during the first week of August.
1.) Injuries To Chase Claypool And Pat Freiermuth
With Diontae Johnson "holding in," Chase Claypool's injury essentially makes George Pickens the top receiver on the depth chart. While Pickens has shined in training camp thus far, some experience on the field is always pivotal at every position. Claypool practicing and building an on field relationship with newcomers Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett will only help his growth heading into his third season. While his shoulder injury is said to not be serious, it is something to look out for in week two of training camp.
Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (#11) comes up holding his right arm in the first week of 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. (@JSKO_PHOTO)
The same goes for Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers tight end shined in his rookie season and currently has a hamstring injury. Injuries to the lower half can be nagging, especially to skill players who are constantly pushing down field. The last thing the offense needs is two injuries to potential difference makers who can help the unit get back on track this year. The sooner these two can get back on the field healthy and without any setbacks, the better for the team.
2.) Steelers First Team Quarterback Reps
To the surprise of many, Mason Rudolph is very much in the conversation to be the starting quarterback come Week 1, or, is he? Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada believes that Rudolph and Trubisky are competing each day.
"Mason's getting the second reps right now, almost equal to, maybe slightly less than Mitch," said Canada. "He's being given a very fair shot. To this point in camp, it might have been exactly equal. Mason has made a lot of plays at times, he's played very well at times for us. He's got a great shot at it. He's being treated that way. His history with our plays, with our system, is a positive for him."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mason Rudolph (#2), takes reps during the first week of 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Pickett seems to be on the back burner for now so as each practice concludes, Steelers fans are going to keep an eye on if Trubisky begins to take the majority of first team reps or if Rudolph continues to put up a fight to be the guy in September.
3.) Contract Situations
Both Johnson and Chris Boswell have yet to sign extensions with the team. It is becoming more likely each day that the Steelers and Johnson are not going to come to an agreement and some believe Johnson working out on the side could be because the organization is looking for a trade partner for the wide receiver. Boswell, however is a different story. He may become the NFL's highest paid kicker and deservedly so. His cap hit will look nothing like Johnson's as it will most likely be just north of the $5 million a year range.
Johnson, on the other hand, could be asking for $18 million or more. One has to believe that the Steelers are more so focused on locking down Boswell as paying Johnson close to $20 million a year might not make sense after drafting two potential stars in Pickens and Calvin Austin III. Regardless, the two are very important to the team's success and one or both could sign a long-term extension any day now.
What are you looking out for during week two of Steelers' 2022 training camp? Let us know in the comments below!
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