While these three Steelers were starters last season, there is a real chance that they could get leapfrogged on the depth chart this year.
The Steelers roster is in a state of transition, and while there are quite a few names to be excited about, there are some holdovers from last season who may not get a chance to start. Just because you were a primary starter last season does little to guarantee your status for this season.
Here are three Steelers starters from a year ago that may get leapfrogged on the depth chart.
Steelers Green
Starting with the most obvious name, the Steelers are seemingly doing everything that they can to ensure that Kendrick Green isn’t a starter this season. They added two interior linemen during free agency, and both are expected to start. While there is technically an open competition at the other guard spot, it seems more than likely that Kevin Dotson keeps his starting job. That leaves Green as a player without a home.
You can’t blame the team for doing this. Green was a disaster last year as a rookie. His size and lack of technique led to him getting bullied along the interior of the line. He became such a liability that he was benched after an “injury” forced him to miss the last few games of the year. Green needs to shift his focus to versatility now. If not, he will be without a home in the NFL sooner rather than later.
Steelers Sutton
This is more of a tricky one, as Cameron Sutton isn’t a bad player by any means, but there is a good chance his role is reduced from a season ago. Last year, the Steelers brought Sutton back on a sizable deal and expected him to be primarily an outside cornerback. He had played there before and had looked the part. While he wasn’t horrible last season, he certainly didn’t look dynamic there either.
Fast forward to now and the team has a trio of capable cornerbacks ready to start along the outside. Ahkello Witherspoon was arguably the Steelers best defensive back once he got on the field. As well, Levi Wallace was brought in, and he has had quite a bit of success as an outside cornerback. While Sutton can still figure in there, it is not a lock that he plays every snap like he did last year.
Now, to be fair, if Sutton loses snaps at outside cornerback, he will probably see some time in the slot. That was his primary role before his new contract and frankly, that was where he looked the most natural. He won’t simply be shifted to bench duties if he loses out there. That said, there is a good chance he loses out on some snaps along the outside based on the other cornerbacks currently in the room.
Steelers Bush
This is truly a make-or-break season for Devin Bush. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Bush will be without a contract and entering free agency next season. If he plays anything like he did last season, there is a good chance he struggles to find a new home. Bush was objectively horrible for the Steelers, and he has a lot riding on his performance this season.
While Bush was coming off of a significant injury last season, he was a liability for the defense when on the field. He struggled to read plays, fill gaps, and hold his own in coverage. While the defense as a whole regressed, Bush was the poster boy for its struggles. While he flashed some positive traits before last year, he seems to have lost that potential based on his play from a season ago.
With this being his final season, the Steelers have little left invested in him. If his struggles continue, they can and should opt for a different linebacker to take over. We saw the same thing happen with Artie Burns during the final two years of his rookie deal. Unless Bush really steps it up this season, the team may opt to replace him with someone more consistent.
While there is a lot to be excited about with the Steelers new roster, there are some players who are seemingly in a bad position. While things can change, there seems to be a good chance that they get jumped on the depth chart by other players at the position.