5 storylines to follow when Steelers open training camp at Saint Vincent

Offseason workouts provide a tiny snapshot into a football team’s intentions and how certain position competitions may unfold. Players wear shorts and helmets; no pads, and tackling is taboo.

Training camp, once the heat acclimation period ends, is when the bigger picture comes into focus. Experimentation that took place in the spring typically gives way to concepts that have a tangible chance of unfolding once the season begins.

As the Pittsburgh Steelers officially turn the page from a 10-7 finish and wild-card playoff loss at Buffalo when they report to Saint Vincent College on Wednesday, here are a few storylines to follow until the regular season begins:

1. Quarterback quandary

This will be the third training camp since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, and a third quarterback is guaranteed to be under center when the regular season opens.

Two years ago, it was Mitch Trubisky holding the inside track over Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett, who vaulted into the No. 2 spot during the preseason and took over the starting spot a month into the season.

Last year, Pickett entered camp as the starter and held the job until he was injured against Arizona in December.

With the quarterback room revamped and three new veterans leading the way, the Steelers will open camp with Russell Wilson occupying the “pole position” — coach Mike Tomlin’s words — followed by Justin Fields and Kyle Allen.

Fields brings an intrigue to the position and is the most accomplished runner of the quarterback trio. Still, the only way he figures to win the job is if Wilson massively stumbles in the preseason, be it injury or poor performance.

This competition is unlike the one in 2022. The former No. 1 draft pick in this case already has three years of NFL experience as opposed to being a rookie like Pickett was then.

2. Who’s No. 2?

Barring a trade, the Steelers will enter the preseason with a bunch of castoffs vying for the starting spot opposite George Pickens, who became the clear No. 1 receiver when Diontae Johnson was traded to Carolina.

Calvin Austin, who showed flashes of playmaking ability last year in his first full season, is the incumbent candidate. Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller and Marquez Callaway have experience but haven’t excelled as full-time starters in the league.

The wild card is third-round draft pick Roman Wilson from Michigan. If he emerges as the starter, the Steelers will have one of the youngest duos in the NFL.

3. Extra blockers

New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes deploying multiple tight ends in his offense. Having an extra tight end on the field could free up Pat Freiermuth to be a bigger part of the passing game after he totaled a career-low 32 receptions last year.

Darnell Washington showed his worth as a blocker in his rookie season. MyCole Pruitt has an extensive history of playing in Smith-run offenses. Connor Heyward’s versatility could be expanded.

Speaking of Heyward, he still carries the added fullback designation on his bio. That is meaningful because Smith also has been known to have a fullback involved in his game plan. And the Steelers are bringing fullback Jack Colletto to camp.

It will be worth monitoring the number of tight ends and/or fullbacks the Steelers use during practice and as they navigate through the preseason.

4. Toeing the line

The only certainties heading into camp on the offensive line are Isaac Seumalo will be stationed at left guard and James Daniels will line up to the right of the center.

Nate Herbig took first-team reps in training camp, but rookie Zach Frazier was drafted in the second round with the expectation that he could start quickly.

Then there are the tackles. Will Broderick Jones open up at left tackle or remain on the right side? If Jones moves, will Troy Fautanu get starting reps at right tackle? If so, where does that leave Dan Moore, the three-year starter at left tackle? So many questions at three spots on the line as the first workout approaches.

5. Playing the slots

The reunion with Cameron Sutton in June was supposed to solidify the slot corner situation. The Steelers didn’t re-sign Chandon Sullivan and spent most of offseason workouts using Josiah Scott and undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop of West Virginia in the slot.

Sutton may indeed emerge as the starter in the slot but not until at least November after he serves an eight-game suspension.

With the Steelers deploying a slot corner for about 75% of their defensive snaps, the role is an important one to fill on the defense and could be the most intriguing competition on that side of the ball in camp.