5 Steelers training camp storylines with major roster implications

The Pittsburgh Steelers have faults going into training camp, and these storylines could change the outcome of their season.
Pittsburgh Steelers OTA Offseason Workout
Pittsburgh Steelers OTA Offseason Workout / Joe Sargent/GettyImages
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Training camp is a time when teams come together to unify themselves for the upcoming season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be back at Saint Vincent College hoping to start their road to a successful season. There has been a lot of turnover since their previous campaign expired. New faces have been brought in both at the coaching and player levels. Just because some upgrades were brought into the fold doesn't mean questions persist.

There are a handful of question marks on the roster for the Steelers, and those storylines will need to be solved before the regular season begins.

Will the Steelers be able to solve their WR problem internally?

This offseason gave the Steelers plenty of options to replace Diontae Johnson after they traded him to the Carolina Panthers.

They decided to sign a handful of potential replacements while clinging to hope that one might stick. None of the current options on the roster seem to be anything more than a lesser player than Johnson would have provided the Steelers this season. Unless Van Jefferson or someone like Calvin Austin III can outperform their expectations at training camp, this will continue to be a mess.

Can someone step up at slot cornerback?

It was a bit surprising that the Steelers decided to sign Cam Sutton, especially if they knew the extent of his suspension when they brought him in. He was signed during mini camp to be the starting slot cornerback for the team, but he will be out for the first eight weeks of the upcoming season. Now Pittsburgh is back to square one with their problem at the position.

Not only do they lack an experienced starter, but their depth is scarce. Unless Beanie Bishop or someone else proves the doubters wrong, this could be another weak spot on the roster.

Solving the battle in the trenches at training camp

Hopefully, Keeanu Benton can take a drastic step forward in year two, but the battle in the trenches will mostly be on the offensive side of the ball.

Dan Moore Jr. versus Troy Fautanu will be the most focused on battle. The hope is Broderick Jones will be on the left side, and Fautanu can win the starting spot on the right at training camp. Don't discount the battle for the starting spot at center between Zach Frazier and Nate Herbig. If the Steelers can produce a solid starting five up front this year, then they should have a good shot at making the playoffs.

Could a trade for Pittsburgh remain on the table?

Rumors have surrounded the Steelers since the draft concluded and they remained riddled with uncertainties.

Expect Pittsburgh to consistently remain in trade rumors around the NFL throughout training camp and the preseason. They could also be heavily active on the waiver wire, especially when final cuts are decided upon. This is not a finished team, and Omar Khan should be fairly active over the next month or so before the regular season starts.

Is Cole Holcomb going to be ready to participate fully?

Pittsburgh is in good shape at middle linebacker heading into training camp no matter if Cole Holcomb is ready to go or not.

It has been reported that Holcomb is expected to participate at camp, but his level of participation is still in question. We will see what happens, but the Steelers have three legit starting options on the roster at the moment. Having Holcomb present would only upgrade the position further. If he can't do much at training camp, one would have to wonder if he might miss a chunk of the upcoming season or maybe more.

Next. 5 veterans who will fail to make the Steelers Week 1 roster. 5 veterans who will fail to make the Steelers Week 1 roster. dark