The Pittsburgh Steelers have several questions to answer defensively before training camp gets underway. Following an offseason that featured rebuilding the offensive side of the ball, Omar Khan and the rest of Pittsburgh's front office are changing course to ensure the success of the NFL's highest paid defense.
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Steelers ILB Mark Robinson in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Steelers have done well in the 2024 offseason offseason, bringing in competition and big names on defense in an effort to better the team. Despite this, there are still a few loose ends to tie up if the Steelers hope to bring the same dominance to the field in 2024. Though the looming extension of Cameron Heyward and the hole to fill at slot corner, arguably the biggest question surrounding the Steelers this season is the lack of experience in several key positions.
There is one position, however, that despite its numerous question marks has players with the potential to take a massive leap in 2024. Hidden inside the Steelers cornerback room are several players with limited experience at the NFL level, but the ability to make a name for themselves. In an article from Mark Kaboly of The Athletic breaking down the defensive roster, Kaboly named Cory Trice Jr. as the player with the highest upside for the Steelers' defense.
"Trice could be the biggest wild card on defense, if he can come back from a torn ACL suffered in the first padded practice of training camp last year, he could provide depth outside. It will be a wait and see situation regarding his health and how he picks things up after a lost rookie season."
The former Purdue Boilermaker created a lot of hype for himself in 2023 following a successful college career. Being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Trice had a real opportunity to make a name for himself in an unproven secondary in Pittsburgh.
After successful performances at Rookie Minicamp and Steelers' Organized Team Activities (OTAs), there was a real possibility that Trice could earn significant snaps before going down with a knee injury in training camp. Now with a year to learn the playbook under his belt, and entering into a season with seemingly the same set of circumstances, Trice has an opportunity to show the Steelers that the hype of 2023 was no joke.
Steelers Focus Needs To Shift Back To The Secondary
With Cameron Sutton now on the shelf, the Steelers are back to square one in the secondary. There are players who have seemingly carved out roles or guaranteed starting jobs, but it certainly feels like it's just as murky for the team as it is for the fans. Players like Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joey Porter Jr, and Donte Jackson all figure to be starters in 2024. This leaves a hole at both slot corner and strong safety.
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Cornerback Donte Jackson getting warmed up for the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 OTAs.
The Steelers signed DeShon Elliott in the offseason, and kept Damontae Kazee on the roster following a 2023 season filled with controversy. Both guys figure to compete in training camp to be the starting safety, but will likely both see significant time on the field. This leads to arguably the most scrutinized position on the Steelers' roster this offseason: slot corner.
Sutton was brought in presumably to take over in the role, but following his eight game suspension for violating the NFL's Code of Conduct, the job has been reposted and is open to applicants. The battle at the slot has been going on since the departure of Mike Hilton in 2020. Due to Trice's ability and length, it's unlikely that he will end up in the slot. However, if Trice can be the big time play-maker that Steelers fans hope he can be, he can create a controversy to who will be the corner opposite Porter Jr., and work to kick Jackson inside.
ESPN
Steelers' Cory Trice Jr. is looking for a bigger role in 2024, and Joey Porter Jr. is all for it.
The Steelers still have options on the free agent market if that's the route they look to go in continuing to fill out the depth in the secondary. The black and gold may have plenty of guys on the roster looking to prove themselves at the NFL level, but the last thing you want is that inexperience to show on the field. Looking at the situation from a glass half full perspective, losing his rookie year may be a blessing in disguise.
The injury Trice suffered has given him the unique opportunity to take a year off, heal his body and learn. Trice had this same opportunity in college when he redshirted his first year, which he followed up with three interceptions in his first year on the field. Trice has a floor of a depth piece, but has all the potential to raise his ceiling to a long-time NFL starter if he can perform in 2024.
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