The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their training camp schedule this week. Camp will run from July 24th, to August 12th. The overall roster is not as deep as you’d like, but there still should be some interesting competitions for certain positions on the roster. Here is our list of the top Steelers camp battles for 2025:
1. RB1 – Jaylen Warren vs Kaleb Johnson
This has to be the most fascinating of all the position battles this summer. Most think Jaylen Warren is a shoe in as the team’s number one running back. That may not be the case however. Kaleb Johnson is an extremely talented back who the Steelers were very lucky to have fall to them in the third round. He is tailor made for the Arthur Smith wide zone running scheme. This may start out as a 50/50 split in carries, but it won’t be long before Kaleb Johnson is the lead back in this offense. The only question is does Johnson win the job in camp, or somewhere along the line during the season.
2. WR2 – Calvin Austin vs Roman Wilson vs TBD
Calvin Austin made headway into becoming a decent wideout in the NFL last season. He is probably best suited in the slot, but with the roster as it’s currently constructed he is the lead candidate to play opposite DK Metcalf. Roman Wilson is his primary competition, but he also is more of a slot receiver. This leads to the hopeful speculation that Omar Khan will bring in another player to be wide receiver two on this team. As of writing this article, Gabe Davis is scheduled to visit this team, and could very well be signed if he can pass a physical. Stay tuned for this one. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/gabe-davis-to-visit-with-steelers-this-week
3. WR4 – Robert Woods vs Ben Skowronek
Woods and Skowronek round out a pretty unimpressive wide receiver group. Both are reliable receivers, and both are plus blockers in the run game. What may set these two apart is Skowronek’s ability to be a core special teamer. If the Steelers ever get around to adding another wideout to the team, this could end up being a battle for the final wide receiver spot.
4. ILB2 – Peyton Wilson vs Cole Holcomb vs Malik Harrison
This Steelers camp battle stands to be one of the better competitions of the summer. Peyton Wilson has the most upside of the three. His physical traits are off the charts. If he can stay healthy, and improve his run defense, Wilson would be the ideal candidate for the position. Cole Holcomb is a feel good story everyone is rooting for. He missed all of 2024, and a good chunk of 2023 with a catastrophic injury. If healthy, Holcomb would be a huge add to this defense. That is a very big if however. The case for Malik Harrison is break glass in case of emergency. He is a steady, but unspectacular veteran option if all else fails.
5. Slot Corner – Beanie Bishop vs Donte Kent vs Brandin Echols
A new year, and a new Steelers slot corner mystery. The fact this team continues to ignore this position defies explanation. As of right now it is Beanie Bishop as the team’s slot corner by default. Other possible candidates include seventh round pick Donte Kent, and veteran free agent Brandin Echols. The problem with Echols being a candidate is he may very well be CB3 on this team. Kent being a late round pick does not inspire confidence either. Either one could potentially win the job from Bishop with a good camp. It’s not the most exciting of the Steelers camp battles, but one that does bear watching.