Steelers Training Camp: Buy, Sell, or Hold

With Steelers training camp under way there are a few popular narratives sprouting up. After one of the most active offseasons the Steelers have had in recent memory there are a lot of questions surrounding this roster and a lot of storylines. Some of which I’ll buy into, and others I’d sell faster than a toaster at a yard sale. Others I’m sitting on the fence. 

The offensive line will be crucial to the Steelers success: Buy 

Without question, the Steelers offensive line is going to be crucial for the Steelers this season. Despite his age,  old man Rodgers still has the arm talent. Whether it was the right move to sign him, he can still sling it. The main issue with his time in New York was they couldn’t stop the pass rush. The Steelers will have to keep Rodgers up right so he can play at the highest level he has left. They are also going to have to step up in the run game. I can admit Najee Harris was not a dynamic back, and certainly missed open gaps the line opened, but with Warren and Kaleb Johnson in the back field, they no longer have an excuse. 

Broderick Jones is going to struggle: Sell 

Despite the video circulating on X of Broderick seemingly whiffing a block, I think Broderick is going to be a pleasant surprise this year. It was day one of camp, and they don’t have pads on. He is back to his natural position, is uber talented, and INCREDIBLY athletic. I think he will be an improvement at left tackle with the departure of Dan Moore Jr in the offseason. 

Roman Wilson is going to take a massive step forward: Hold

Roman Wilson is the biggest question mark on the offensive side of the ball right now. He is essentially still a rookie after missing most of last season with lingering injuries keeping him off the field. Internally there seems to be a lot of excitement regarding his improvement over the offseason but I am in a “believe it when I see it” phase with Wilson. He has a lot of talent and is not afraid to do the dirty work. Until he proves it on the field I’m holding. If he can produce, this offense can take it to the next level. 

Will Howard will take snaps at QB this season: Sell 

This shouldn’t be a surprise but there seems to be a belief that Rodgers could get benched at some point in the season. When pigs fly. Barring injury Rodgers will start all 17. And if he does get hurt we will see Rudolph. Howard oozes potential. I’ll go on record that I think he is a great value pick. But I don’t see him even getting a helmet this season. He is big, strong, mobile, and smart. But a 3rd stringer for this season. 

The Defense will struggle without Minkah: Sell 

Minkah’s production has significantly dropped the last two seasons and the Steelers were not going to sign him to his third contract in Pittsburgh. It is a tough pill to swallow but I think the Steelers moved on from him at the right time and got tremendous value in return. This should be the sign to Steelers fans that they are getting what they want. A Steelers team that isn’t loyal to a fault to their star players. I’m not sure Chuck Clark will be able to reproduce the “splash play” factor Minkah had but with Slay, Ramsey and JPJ at the corner positions I think they will be just fine. They will regret Minkah in the aggregate, to borrow a line from Billy Beane. 

TJ Watt will move across the LOS this season: Hold

It would be fun to watch TJ play a “Weapon X” role on defense this season. Just getting to the weakest offensive linemen and rushing the passer. Entering into this 8th season it would be nice to add another layer to his game besides lining up in a wide 9 100 snaps a game. But, I don’t think it will happen, nor does it really need to. The Steelers have gotten better across the front seven. Cam Heyward still plays at an all pro level, Highsmith is #1 pass rusher on 30 other teams, and Harmon is a promising rookie. Plus there is Herbig, Benton, and Black to rotate in. I think TJ will be fine. 

The Steelers offense will struggle this season without Pickens: Sell 

The reaction to this trade really confused me. It was as though the Steelers had cut prime Randy Moss.  Pickens is uber talented yes but, kind of a one trick pony, and a live grenade. Yes he made a one handed catch on air without pads on this week in Dallas but, the world spins on in Pittsburgh. Pickens was always dependable to make some jaw dropping catches but his consistency and maturity left A LOT to be desired.  The Steelers offense is going to be multiple this year. They have two solid backs, a deep ball threat in DK, a speedster in Calvin Austin, a wild card in Roman Wilson, and 3 capable tight ends. In his second season I see Artie Smith creating a multiple and layered offense with weapons he is familiar with. He has options. 

The Steelers have a Superbowl caliber roster: Buy 

On the surface I’m aware this seems like delusion but the keyword here is “caliber”. You cannot argue the Steelers have nothing but talent really at every spot. As I said above this offense has a lot of options. Now, a lot has to go right for this team to actually win a Super Bowl. But on paper the talent is there.  I don’t see the Steelers hoisting the Lombardi if I am being honest here but the talent doesn’t lack on this roster. And it only takes a couple lucky breaks on this league.