Aaron Rodgers held onto the headlines of most of the Pittsburgh Steelers' minicamp. While he gained plenty of attention, other storylines went under the radar. With plenty of time between now and final roster cuts later this summer, there are competitions at training camp that will determine the outcome.
The battles across the defensive line will create massive storylines for the Steelers. They added a ton of talent through the draft and free agency.
There will be a couple of notable cuts along the defensive line when it is all said and done. There are six or seven slots, with four already secured. That leaves room for just a few veterans like Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, and Dean Lowry. Each one of them has a lot to overcome if they want a shot at making the team.
Loudermilk is heading into his fifth year in the NFL. He hasn't shown much improvement since the Steelers traded up to select him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has produced quality reps as a run defender, but he doesn't possess enough skill to develop further. His time in Pittsburgh could be coming to a close if he cannot outperform expectations at training camp. Time is of the essence.
Pittsburgh Steelers are running out of space on the roster to hold onto Isaiahh Loudermilk
It's not the end of the line for Loudermilk heading into training camp. He didn't have an ugly outing at their minicamp, but he didn't impress either. He must show signs of improvement, but he continues to fail. Making it into the fifth preseason with the team that drafted you as a fifth-rounder is an incredible feat. It might be time to move in another direction, especially after the Steelers rehauled the trenches.
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The number game is painting an ugly picture for Loudermilk and any other veteran defensive lineman in Pittsburgh vying for a roster spot. The Steelers made a concentrated effort to get younger and add new blood across the trenches. They will want to reflect on that during their final decisions.
That could spell doom for Loudermilk and other veterans like Leal, Lowry, and Logan Lee.
Loudermilk has a shot at making the roster, but it is an uphill battle. He must earn one of the final two or three spots up for grabs. Failure to accomplish that task will result in getting cut. He could always find a new home elsewhere, but his time in the NFL appears to be running out. Those in front of him on the depth chart will give him a run for his money.
Expect Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, and Yahya Black to play massive roles in the trenches this season. It would be surprising to see Lowry get let go, but it's not impossible. There are too many cooks in the kitchen right now in this position for Pittsburgh. Loudermilk is someone the coaching staff knows well, but they also know to go with someone younger if needed.