We are just a few practices into Steelers training camp and the players haven't even put on full pads yet, but we've already gained some useful insight. The first training camp practices have shown us where players stand on the early depth chart, what roles they could be playing in 2024, and what significant changes have taken place on both sides of the ball.
As practices press on, some of these things will change. But for now, here are the biggest and most important early notes from Steelers training camp.
Early Steelers training camp notes
No Steelers camp hold-ins
It's all hands on deck for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Entering camp, there were questions about whether players like Cameron Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, or Najee Harris would 'hold in'. All three players are entering a contract year and seeking new deals.
Thankfully, this isn't the case. This is something the Steelers have dealt with in the past, but every able-bodied man is out on the field participating in practice.
No Russell Wilson means added opportunities for Justin Fields
Russell Wilson missed the first few Steelers training camp practices while dealing with a calf issue. This meant added opportunities for Justin Fields.
Mike Tomlin assured the media that nothing had changed and that Wilson was still in 'pole position' to be the starting quarterback in Week 1. Fields used the extra practice reps to develop chemistry with the first-team offense.
Offensive tackle roles
Those hoping to see Troy Fautanu slide into the starting lineup will have to wait. To open training camp, Fautanu was working exclusively as the second-team right tackle. Meanwhile, Dan Moore Jr. was working as the starting left tackle with Broderick Jones as the starting right tackle.
The Steelers have made it known that they want Jones to move back to left tackle, so the decision to make him a right tackle to begin camp is interesting. It's safe to assume that Jones will eventually take starting left tackle reps with Fautanu earning first-team reps at right tackle. Fautanu saw some starting reps at RT during the team's second practice.
Starting wide receivers
Fans were interested in seeing which wide receivers would be rolling with the starting offense to begin the Steelers training camp. We now have that answer. In three-receiver sets, George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III have been running with the first team.
We knew that Pickens was going to start; that was a given. However, with the Steelers signing a trio of receivers (Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller) and taking Roman Wilson in the third round of the NFL Draft, it was unclear which players would begin camp at the top of the depth chart.
This is obviously subject to change, but it looks like Jefferson and Austin are going to get the first crack at starting alongside Pickens.
Cornerback pecking order
With the Steelers swapping WR Diontae Johnson for CB Donte Jackson during the offseason, we knew that Jackson would be starting alongside Joey Porter Jr. But what about the talented cornerbacks behind them on the depth chart?
So far, it looks like Darius Rush has a leg up on Cory Trice Jr. as the first boundary cornerback off the bench. Rush and Trice both entered the league in the 2023 NFL Draft. Rush signed with the Steelers after getting cut from the Colts and Chiefs, while Trice spent his entire rookie season on IR with an ACL injury. This will be a battle to keep an eye on.
Arthur Smith's fingerprint on offense
One thing that is very evident early in Steelers training camp is that Arthur Smith has his fingerprints all over Pittsburgh's offense. Smith is staying true to the offense that brought him success with the Titans in 2019 and 2020. He has the Steelers implementing heavy doses of play-action and bootleg passes while deploying heavy personnel groupings.
This should be a welcome change from what we saw with Matt Canada over the past three seasons. Smith's use of frequent play-action during practice is a good sign that defenses will have to stay on their toes in 2024.