OTAs have wrapped up and the Steelers were able to show some good things, but they also brought some issues back into the spotlight.
It was a couple of weeks when fans were able to see some new members of the black and gold on the practice field. It is just the very beginning of players starting to show up at the facility and start showing things at practice. It marks that training camp is right around the corner. It is an exciting reminder for those who love Pittsburgh's football team.
A couple of problems were put to rest at OTAs which should made fans happy. Hopefully, the Steelers will be able to solve their remaining problems before the end of the preseason process, or else it could limit them this upcoming season.
The Steelers solved their slot cornerback problem at OTAs
Getting someone to fill the gaping void at slot cornerback remained on the Steeler's priority list heading into OTAs. They seemed to solve that problem this past week after signing Cam Sutton. Most know about his off-the-field concerns as he comes back to Pittsburgh. One would have to imagine that the Steelers feel comfortable about his legal situation to bring him back.
We will see if Sutton ends up being suspended, and if he does, for how long during the regular season.
Before the addition of Sutton, Pittsburgh only had a couple of guys who played snaps in the sot throughout their career. They seemed ready to bank everything they had on an unproven player to come out of nowhere and become a starter at the position. Sutton remained available and it should prove to be a quality upgrade for the club.
Pittsburgh showed they are ready to move on from Dan Moore Jr.
No, Dan Moore Jr. hasn't lost his starting spot yet, but it looks like it will happen sooner rather than later.
Mike Tomlin seems poised to bench Moore sometime either this preseason or early into the regular season process. Most of the depth chart layering will depend on how Troy Fautanu does throughout the preseason process. They have laid the groundwork for Broderick Jones to take over at left tackle during OTAs.
Don't get too excited yet as the Steelers will try and take things slow with Fautanu at first. One would have to imagine they won't be taking things as slow as they did last season as Jones. Training camp will be our guide as the black and gold try and figure out if it's better to wait a couple of weeks into the regular season before starting their first-round pick or not.
Figuring out the void at WR2 remains a top concern heading into camp
Since slot cornerback has been solved, the Steeler's biggest concern remains at wide receiver for the time being.
The team seems content with sticking with the guys they currently have on the roster to see if they can solve this issue internally first. Just because Pittsburgh goes with this process, it does not mean they won't add someone before the regular season. Unless someone stands out among their peers, expect the black and gold to add another receiver or two before the start of the regular season.
Will the Steelers be able to sign some contracts at training camp?
Another big storyline coming out of OTAs was Cam Heyward missing most of the activities. He did return for the last week, but he made it clear that he wants a contract extension and wants to finish his career with the Steelers in three years. Heyward will get a lot of the coverage because of this outward negotiation, but there are plenty of other players available for contract negotiations at training camp.
Normally, if the Steelers fail to extend a player at camp, then they will have to wait until after the season to ink a deal.
Heyward will have something figured out at some point, but other names like Pat Freiermuth, James Daniels, Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and others are open to new deals. We will see how things transpire, but it seems like there has been little communication between the team and the players about potential deals. They could become a distraction at some point in camp if a deal cannot be reached.