We officially have signs of life. Pittsburgh Steelers player reported to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania for camp on Wednesday, July 24, and Thursday marked the team's first official training camp practice of 2024.
The Steelers practiced in shorts, and they won't have their first padded practice until Tuesday, July 30, but we were able to get a sense of where players stand on the depth chart entering camp. The latest Steelers news revolves around Russell Wilson, Najee Harris, and a rumored wide receiver trade candidate.
Russell Wilson misses practice with calf injury
We expected to see Russell Wilson take his first reps at Steelers training camp with the first-team offense on July 25, but the veteran quarterback didn't take the field. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Mike Tomlin told reporters Wilson woke up with a calf injury and would not be practicing.
#Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that QB Russell Wilson is dealing with a calf issue that he woke up with and he’s considered day-to-day. Justin Fields took the first-team reps.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2024
The origin of Wilson's injury is a mystery, and it's unclear if he will miss additional practice time. Wilson's loss was Justin Fields' gain, as the polarizing quarterback ran with the first-team offense during the first Steelers training camp practice.
Broncos restructure Courtland Sutton's contract
On July 25, the Denver Broncos restructured the contract of veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Sutton's restructured deal could pay him up to $15.2 million this season with added incentives.
The #Broncos signed WR Courtland Sutton to a restructured contract that can pay him up to $15.2 million this season, including $1.5M in new incentives.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 25, 2024
Sutton reported to training camp on time and Denver sweetened the deal for one of its team leaders. pic.twitter.com/pg89d257bc
Sutton was linked in trade rumors with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2024 offseason. Now that Denver has restructured his contract, a possible trade is no longer feasible. The Broncos would take an added dead cap hit if they trade Sutton after the restructure. Instead, the starting wide receiver will stay in Denver where he will look to be an asset to a young offense.
Najee Harris disappointed Steelers declined fifth-year option
Steelers fans were surprised when the team chose not to exercise the fifth-year option for 2021 first-round running back, Najee Harris. Despite a reasonable price tag of $6.79 million for the 2025 season, Omar Khan and the front office let the deadline pass in May, and Najee will be a free agent in 2025.
When Harris arrived at Steelers training camp, he opened up about his contract situation and expressed that he is 'disappointed' that the team didn't pick up the option. Here's what he had to say on the topic, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
""I was disappointed for a minute, but I mean, it's nothing really where me sitting around being disappointed for too long will do anything to help me out. I think that it is what it is, and you just got to keep it pushing and knowing that coming out here and doing what's best for the team and having a good year is what's most important right now.""Najee Harris, via ESPN
The encouraging news for Harris is that he will have a chance to earn a big payday one year sooner. However, the size of his next contract will be determined by how he performs in 2024.
With both Harris and Jaylen Warren in need of contract extensions, the team is unlikely to sign both players. They are poised to take the 'wait and see' approach in 2025, and Najee will likely test free agency after the 2024 season.