We’re less than two weeks away from the start of training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers and this team will undoubtedly be different than year’s past. Ben Roethlisberger is enjoying retirement, the team is loaded with young talent, there is a new general manager, and of course, there is a new name for the stadium.
Before the season even begins, training camp is the first chance fans can get to see the new-look Steelers. Before it begins on July 26, there are three storylines Steeler Nation should be paying close attention to.
Storyline 1 - The Steelers Quarterback Battle
It’s the juiciest storyline, and in case you were living under a rock, the Steelers will have a new quarterback for the first time in nearly two decades. Which one of those quarterbacks is going to be taking the first-string snaps is what we’ll all find out – eventually. But for now, the quarterback battle is heating up.
It seems that Steeler Nation has all but forgotten about Mason Rudolph, and he has been the center of trade rumors for some time now. So the focus naturally shifts towards Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. It won’t be surprising if fans see a 60/40 split of starting snaps during training camp in favor of Trubisky, but the preseason games are where Pickett will have his moments to shine to show how he’s learning the offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks participate in Organized Team Activities (OTA's) Thursday May 26, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers)
I can easily see record-breaking preseason ticket sales for fans who want to come out and see Pickett. Nonetheless, I’m still a firm believer that with high-caliber games early in the regular season, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and company will roll with the experienced hand.
“I think you guys [the media] make a bigger deal out of the competition than the players because we compete every single day, regardless,” says Pickett in regards to the quarterback competition. “I’m just excited to be a part of this team and compete."
Storyline 2 – The Lurking Contract for Diontae Johnson
It’s no secret that the market for wide receivers is broken. In an off-season that was full of big wide receiver contracts, most recently Terry McLaurin, there is growing speculation that Diontae Johnson is next in line, and if he legitimately deserves a big contract. But as The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly shared, the Steelers aren’t planning on offering the $20 million per year to Johnson that McLaurin got. This, of course, opens the door to a potential hold-out situation.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game as Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. CREDIT | AP PHOTO/ASHLEY LANDIS
Over his three-year career, it’s been a double-edged sword for Johnson, both showing promise and struggles. Back in 2020, he led the NFL in total dropped passes (13) but has since developed a tennis ball routine to improve his hand-eye coordination. Just this past year, Johnson made significant strides, translating the routine onto the field en route to a career-high and team-high 107 receptions and over 1,100 receiving yards. Johnson also earned his first ever Pro Bowl selection. One can argue that his success was directly correlated to the fact that Roethlisberger relied on the dink-and-dunk offense, who targeted Johnson primarily on slants and out routes.
Diontae Johnson's route chart in 2021 pic.twitter.com/ZTGdBOc4HB
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) April 23, 2022
Johnson proved he can produce at a high level, but he will need to show that he can be relied on in clutch moments throughout the season and that he can mesh with a new quarterback. Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie deal where he’s set to make a shade under $3 million.
Storyline 3 – Who Will Step Up as the No. 2 Option Behind Najee Harris?
Entering his second year in the NFL, Najee Harris has solidified himself as one of the top young talents in the entire league. He led all rookie running backs with 1,200 yards rushing yards on 307 attempts. His 1,200 yards also gave him the second most yards in the entire league. However, those 307 attempts could be his Achilles heel heading into 2022. Harris dealt with nagging injuries throughout the 2021 season, but didn’t miss a game. Someone else needs to step up if he wants to avoid the injury bug.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris carries the football. Harris carried the football 307 times for 1,200 yards in 2021. CREDIT | GETTY IMAGES
After Harris, the player with the most rushing attempts is Benny Snell with 37 – a big drop-off. And after that, Chase Claypool logged 14 carries and Johnson logged five. Will it be Snell or another player in 2022? The Steelers have two rookie running backs on the active roster, Mataeo Durant and Jaylen Warren, along with fourth-year man, Trey Edmunds and third-year man, Anthony McFarland. Whoever it is, they will need to make strides in training camp and log at least 50-75 snaps to take some of the pressure off Harris.
The Steelers open training camp at Saint Vincent College on July 26, with the first preseason game on Aug. 13 at Acrisure Stadium against the Seattle Seahawks. You can view the entire training camp schedule here.
What are some things that you are watching in training camp? Let us know in the comments below!
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