Under Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always found a way to be competitive. But in 2024, it will be about elevating to new heights.
With an aggressive approach to the offseason, this year’s version of the team will look vastly different than the last. Let’s take a look at the five biggest unanswered questions for the Steelers heading into the season.
Unanswered Questions Ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp
Kenny Pickett is gone, and now Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are in the fold. In the blink of an eye, the Steelers drastically changed their quarterback room for now and into the future.
Pittsburgh hopes that either can lead them to a championship. While many have assumed it’s Wilson’s job, is there a chance Fields could give him a run for his money?
We discuss that ongoing situation and four other questions that still face the Steelers ahead of training camp kicking off.
Will Justin Fields Challenge Russell Wilson for Starting QB?
When Pittsburgh brought in Wilson, it felt like a move for the now. But when they traded for Fields, it felt like a move for the future. However, is there a chance that Fields could be a move for both? We shouldn’t outright dismiss it.
While the sense is that it truly is Wilson’s job to lose, Fields may have a chance to dethrone him sooner rather than later. The younger Fields still feels like moldable clay, a player with untapped potential and a rare skill set that could intrigue Pittsburgh’s decision-makers.
Justin Fields says the #Steelers' QB competition is far from over. 👀 #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/ni93KJQ31o
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) May 22, 2024
Wilson is a veteran on the back nine of his career and still has some good football potentially left in the tank, but is the ceiling as high?
These questions will be weighed out and discussed over the year, and if Fields finds his way on the field at some point, few would be surprised.
Is George Pickens a True WR1?
When you watch George Pickens play, the talent pops off the film. A big-bodied WR with the ability to make the circus catch look easy and the physicality to bully defenders. However, is he ready to step up and be a true No. 1 wide receiver?
The Steelers hope the answer is yes. With some changes to the room, including Diontae Johnson now gone, Pickens will get every chance to prove he’s that guy in 2024.
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Pickens’ rookie year was a solid performance, but 2023 felt like a statement of arrival. He finished the year with 63 receptions, 1,140 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. With this season looking like the biggest opportunity yet for the former Georgia Bulldog, the question if he is a true WR1 should be answered rather quickly.
Where Will Troy Fautanu End Up on the Offensive Line?
It’s well documented that Troy Fautanu played left tackle at the University of Washington. Yet, on the first day of rookie minicamp back in May, the Steelers may have hinted at where they see him playing in Pittsburgh.
The first team portion made available to the media saw the big man line up at the right tackle spot, a change from where he was just a year ago in college. Fautanu started 29 consecutive games at LT to close out his college career but has positional flexibility, setting up the question of where he may ultimately end up Week 1 and beyond.
However, with 2023 first-round pick Broderick Jones seemingly penciled in at left tackle for now, it may be a safe assumption to expect it to unfold like that, at least early on.
Can the Steelers Become Real AFC Contenders?
It’s well known that the Steelers have never had a losing season under Mike Tomlin. That’s quite a feat, but it’s been almost 15 years since their last Super Bowl victory, and a proud franchise is hungry for more.
The big-name players in the AFC are established, with the Chiefs, Ravens, and Bengals looking to be some of the upper-echelon teams. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh has made some aggressive moves and changed things up this offseason in hopes of getting back into the mix.
It’s obvious Tomlin is a respected coach who can get the most out of his players. But will that ceiling involve a deep playoff run in 2024?
How Much Does Patrick Queen Change the Defense?
Patrick Queen is leaving one bonafide AFC contender to hopefully help another become one. With Queen leaving the Ravens, he joins their bitter rival Steelers with a chance to be a leader in the middle of their defense. While the move is a good one, just how impactful can it be?
Just looking at the dynamic from where he was coming from to where he is now, Queen, right out of the gate, has a chance to be a difference-maker. In Baltimore, he was the No. 2 guy next to Roquan Smith, but in Pittsburgh, he immediately becomes the most accomplished off-the-ball linebacker on the roster.
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Queen has never finished a year with less than 98 tackles and has four interceptions and 13.5 sacks in his four seasons as well. He’s around the ball, is physical, and can be a three-down player who can help elevate players such as Cole Holcomb and rookie addition Payton Wilson.
The Steelers already have stars on the front and back end of their defense. Adding Queen helps to round out the group, ensuring that there is a playmaker at every layer of the defense.
Steelers’ Training Camp Primer
When Does Training Camp Start for the Steelers?
Steelers’ camp will be held at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. The reporting date is July 24, with practices being held from July 25 to Aug. 14.
How Long is Steelers Training Camp?
While the ramp-up period for the NFL can feel like a long time before Week 1, NFL training camps are typically only two weeks long.
This has changed in recent years as the NFL’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) focuses on protecting players, which has limited the time for training camp.
Teams will use training camp to prepare for the preseason, install schemes, evaluate position battles, work on conditioning, and more. Once camp ends, there’s a change in tempo and demeanor on the practice field.
Are Training Camps Mandatory?
Yes, there is no way around it — training camp is mandatory. With it signaling the start of the new season for every team, not showing up for training camp would be like not showing up for your first day of work.
Furthermore, the new CBA has made it incredibly difficult for players who are looking to “hold out,” no matter the reason. The fines are hefty, and even though that used to be a negotiating practice by players looking to be paid, those days are all but over now.
Do NFL Players Get Paid For Attending Training Camps?
According to Article 23 of the CBA, veteran players are entitled to per diem payments beginning on the first day of training camp and ending on the final day. In this case, a veteran is defined as a player with at least one season of credited service.
In 2024, veteran players will earn $3,200 per week during training camp. That will increase to $3,500 during the 2025 and 2026 league years.
Meanwhile, first-year NFL players will receive a weekly rate of $1,850 in 2023 and 2024. That will jump to $2,000 per week in 2025 and 2026.
How Many NFL Players Are Cut After Training Camp?
Entering training camp, teams can have up to 90 players on their roster. However, they must trim their roster down to 53 players by cutdown day. Teams can carry 16 players on their practice squad, so some of the individuals who get cut will be retained as part of the practice squad.
Teams spend all of training camp and the preseason evaluating their players, and then the front office and coaching staff must make these tough decisions prior to Week 1 of the regular season. During the 2024 season, roster cutdown day is Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET.
