The Steelers have gotten through a handful of practices so far in training camp. While it feels good to know that football is back and games will be played soon, the team still has a lot of questions that need to be answered. Camp will be a pivotal time to do so.
So far, there have been quite a few winners on this roster that are shooting up the depth chart. While it is still extremely early, these players have already stacked some good practices. On the flip side, there have also been some players who haven’t done enough so far and are being overshadowed by the aforementioned rising players.
In particular, these five Steelers are losing their grips on their roster spot so far in camp.
Steelers aren’t relying on Cory Trice Jr.
One of the most overhyped players entering camp, Cory Trice hasn’t had the impact that many thought he would. While he popped as a rookie, it was short-lived as a training camp injury kept him out for his first year. Many had him on their list of players to watch this offseason, and some even expected him to make a push as the second outside cornerback.
That hasn’t been the case so far. He has been sparingly used so far, and for a former seventh-round pick who isn’t a roster lock, that can’t be a good thing. On top of this, Darius Rush has had a solid start to his first training camp with the team. With other veterans vying for spots, Trice has to recapture some of the play that made him a fan favorite last year. If not, he could quickly be jettisoned off the roster.
Steelers have moved on from Mark Robinson
This has to be one of the more curious players on the roster in recent memory. Mark Robinson shined as a rookie in camp and during the preseason and even saw some defensive snaps as a rookie. The team rewarded him by revamping the linebacker room and sending him to the bench with the designation that 2024 could be his year. Following the additions of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson, that doesn’t seem likely.
What has killed all of his momentum is the reunion with Tyler Matakevich. A special teams star, Matakevich has to have the inside track for the final linebacker spot on the roster. In Robinson’s defense, he hasn’t had a horrible start to camp, but he needs to have the best few weeks of his career to make himself uncuttable. That hasn’t been how things have started, and his odds of making the team are growing worse by the day.
Defendensive linemen are outplaying Isaiahh Loudermilk
Before training camp got underway, it looked like Isaiahh Loudermilk was on the inside looking out. He had firmly entrenched himself as the backup last year, and while his play isn’t anything special, it was at least consistent. So far though, just about everything has gone wrong for him during this year's camp.
One of the earliest standouts from camp has been fellow lineman DeMarvin Leal. He is fighting for a roster spot but has been all over the field so far in training camp. Rookie Logan Lee has also started to flash in limited work. With Dean Lowry likely locked into a roster spot once healthy, Loudermilk has to catch up to the current standouts on the roster if he wants to remain on the team.
Pittsburgh has a replacement for Cameron Sutton
From a football perspective, the reunion with Cameron Sutton was a savvy one. The Steelers have a massive hole at slot cornerback, and Sutton plays the best there. Even with his impending suspension, he could feasibly come back and start once eligible. For a veteran minimum contract, that seems like a good deal.
Beanie Bishop, the undrafted rookie out of West Virginia, has been an early camp darling. He has seen almost exclusive reps as the starting slot cornerback, and by all reports, he has held his own in that role. If he continues to shine, the team may decide that they don’t need Sutton at all. That decision won’t have to be made immediately, Sutton won’t count toward the roster while suspended nor will he be paid. If Bishop shines though, the Steelers could easily decide to cut bait with Sutton.
Steelers haven’t gotten a healthy Russell Wilson
Arguably the biggest news out of training camp so far for the Steelers has been Russell Wilson not practicing yet for the team. A sore leg has kept him from participating to this point. While the team is being overly cautious, as they should be right now, it has also opened the door for Justin Fields to work as the first-team quarterback.
It hasn’t been perfect, but through a few practices, the good has been better than the bad. While Wilson’s actual roster spot isn’t up for grabs unlike the other names on this list, his firm hold on the starting quarterback role is loosening. He will get first dibs when healthy, but with Fields looking part behind him, he needs to deliver the best version of himself that was promised.
If he doesn’t, it would make sense for the team to explore Fields more as the primary starter.