As training camp wraps up its first week, the excitement is just beginning to build. Under Coach Mike Tomlin's leadership, training camp is known for its competitive atmosphere, and this year is no exception.
Already, we've witnessed some position group battles as players compete for their spots on the roster. The competition is heating up, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Russell Wilson’s injury provides Justin Fields with more opportunities
Russell Wilson didn't practice this week due to a calf injury. In his absence, Justin Fields has been taking first-team reps and making the most of these valuable opportunities. If Wilson remains sidelined and Fields continues to show flashes of his potential while improving his consistency, the quarterback competition could become more serious.
Throughout the offseason, we've heard that Wilson is the presumptive starter. However, if Fields excels in practice while Wilson deals with missed time, it would be logical to give Fields a legitimate shot at the starting job for Week 1. The Steelers are paying minimal salaries for both quarterbacks, so it makes sense to let the best performer in training camp win the job, rather than relying on their past career achievements.
Jam packed WR room
This offseason, the Steelers bolstered their wide receiver corps with several new signings, adding depth but also introducing uncertainty and unproven talent into the mix. Beyond the already established George Pickens, the competition for starting roles remains wide open.
Third-round draft pick Roman Wilson is a virtual lock to make the team, but his exact role—whether as WR2, WR3, or WR4—is yet to be determined. Unfortunately, Wilson suffered an ankle injury during the Steelers' first padded practice and was carted off the field.
The rest of the wide receivers will need to prove themselves in training camp and preseason games to secure their spots on the depth chart. Among all position groups, the wide receiver unit arguably faces the most intense battle for roster spots and starting positions.
Who wins the jobs in the trenches?
Three out of the five starting positions on the offensive line are already set, but the center and tackle spots remain up for grabs. The team drafted Troy Fautanu in the first round and Zach Frazier in the second round.
Although rookies typically don't start immediately in Pittsburgh, it’s hard to ignore Frazier's potential to take the starting job over Nate Herbig. The most intriguing battle is between Dan Moore and Troy Fautanu for the tackle position. If Moore retains his spot, Broderick Jones will continue as the starting right tackle, with Moore at left tackle.
However, if Fautanu wins the role, Jones will move to his natural position at left tackle. This competition brings a lot of moving parts, but it’s beneficial for the offense. We will see which rookie, or both, proves themselves in camp and earns the starting spot in Week 1.