Steelers Have 2 Players That Seriously Need To Prove Their Worth During Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers are rapidly approaching the beginning of 2024 training camp. Though equipped with an improved roster compared to years prior, the Steelers are still a team with several questions surrounding starters and team identity ahead of Week 1 in Atlanta. General Manager Omar Khan has done well to bring in players with something to prove, as well as solid depth players, but for some on roster, this training camp will be do-or-die for their NFL dreams.

Several members of the 2024 Steelers are on or near the final year of their contracts. Though it’s certainly possible to land on another roster in the future, earning a second contract is difficult in the NFL. With several potential bubble players on the roster headed into training camp, here are three players that have the most to prove.

DeMarvin Leal

Truly, most members of the Steelers defensive line can be put on on this list, however, DeMarvin Leal is the player with the most expectation placed on him. Plenty of conversation has occurred this offseason focused on the former third-round pick out of Texas A&M. Leal was originally drafted to be “tweener”, who could play on the defensive line and along the edge as an outside linebacker. To this point in his NFL career, Leal hasn’t been able to do either effectively, placing his future with the team in doubt. 

The Steelers have already addressed the depth at outside linebacker with the addition of Nick Herbig in 2023, and have intriguing pieces on the roster for the 2024 season in Jeremiah Moon and Julius Welschof. For Leal, his last chance to earn a second contract may come due to the lack of quality players on the defensive line behind Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton. What places even more pressure on Leal to succeed is the impending decision to be made on Heywards contract. The Steelers had several players over the past few seasons that felt like the guy to take the mantle from Heyward, but those players no longer reside on the roster despite the need remaining.

Darnell Washington

A surprise to make this list, Washington might be the fastest start to burn out of Khan’s draft classes. After being drafted as a red zone specialist out of Georgia last season, Washington was a non-factor in his rookie year. With only seven catches for 61 yards, the hope is that the six foot seven tight end can thrive in an offense that has loved using two tight ends under Arthur Smith. Under Smith in Atlanta, back up tight end Jonnu Smith had a career high in targets (70), catches (50), and yards (582). Add into the equation, the upgrades at the quarterback position with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and all the pieces are in place for Washington to thrive in year two.

Steelers Starting Quarterback Has A Ton To Prove In 2023

No player has more to prove in 2024 on the Steelers roster than Wilson. From one of the best at his position to one of the worst, Wilson needs to rely on a standout campaign with the Steelers to rebound his career. Though he’s 35 years old there is still a market for veteran quarterbacks as long as they perform. The Denver Broncos took a Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams-esque swing in bringing in Wilson, but missed and in turn set themselves back a few seasons. That being said, Wilson showed growth in his two seasons in Denver, improving his touchdown to interception ratio, and quarterback rating (QBR) from year one to year two. If the Steelers can simply capture that growth Wilson saw, he will easily earn a second contract in Pittsburgh. 

Who else do you think has a lot to prove in 2024?

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