The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin their training camp practices on July 28th. Most of the roster is pretty well set. There are a few key battles that will go on during Steelers training camp this year however. Let’s take a look at the top five positions up for grabs this offseason.
1. QB2 – Mason Rudolph vs Will Howard
This one takes on a particular importance because the loser could very well be out of a job completely when all is said and done. The Steelers will almost certainly not keep four quarterbacks on the roster. We also know both Aaron Rodgers and Drew Allar are making the team. So the battle for the Steelers backup quarterback spot also means it is a battle for a roster spot. The loser will find himself traded, or outright released before the start of the season.
2. Right Tackle – Max Iheanachor vs Dylan Cook vs Broderick Jones?
There are a few positions along the Steelers offensive line where we have absolutely no idea who will end up the starter come week one. Early on in OTAs, Dylan Cook has been first team right tackle despite having never played there before. Rookie Max Iheanachor is a natural right tackle, and would seem to have the upper hand to win the job at some point. If, and it it is a very big if, Broderick Jones ever gets healthy you can’t rule him out at right tackle either. This will be one of the more fascinating camp battles during Steelers training camp this summer.
3. Right Guard – Spencer Anderson vs Gennings Dunker vs Brock Hoffman
It seems Mike McCarthy has made up his mind to move both Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick over to the left side of the line. That means right guard is the position up for grabs this summer. The favorite at this point has to be veteran backup Spencer Anderson. Brock Hoffman did play under McCarthy in Dallas. He could possibly have the inside track due to his familiarity with the coach and the system. Everyone expects Gennings Dunker to win the job at some point. That might not happen until 2027 however.
4. Safety – Jalen Ramsey vs Jaquan Brisker vs Deshon Elliot
The entire Steelers safety position is a jumbled mess that will need to play itself out during training camp. Jaquan Brisker’s best position is strong safety, although he can play both. Deshon Elliot is pretty much the same, capable of both but better at strong safety. And let’s not forget 29 years old coming off a major injury. There is no guarantee he will come back anywhere near as good as the 2024 version of himself. Jalen Ramsey is the wild card in all this. He is clearly the best option at free safety on the team. He could end up there, or in the slot, or possibly both in 2026. It will be very interesting how new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham sorts out the safety position.
5. RB3 – Kaleb Johnson vs Travis Homer vs Eli Heidenreich
Most people, including me, have written off Kaleb Johnson at some point this offseason. I even had him off my initial 53 man roster prediction, but I’m coming around to the fact that Johnson is probably the best option. Steelers 53 man roster prediction 1.0: The way too early version
If either Jaylen Warren, or Rico Dowdle were to get injured, Kaleb Johnson could step right in and take on the work load of an every day running back. Neither Heidenreich nor Homer could do that. That’s not the type of backs they are. Homer is predominately a special teams option, while Heidnenreich is more of a Swiss army type. If he makes the team at all, expect Eli Heidnenreich to be used as a pass catcher more than anything else. The Steelers could end up keeping four backs, and at this point it seems Homer could be the odd man out. The practice Squad is a very real possibility for Travis Homer.