It can’t be stressed enough: The three weeks — nine practice sessions — of organized team activities the Pittsburgh Steelers just concluded at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex mean a skosh more than nothing when it comes to real-world football.
It is important to stress that, in terms of real football play, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ three weeks—nine practice sessions—of structured team activities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex are far more important than nothing at all.
The optional part of not-real-football concluded on Thursday, and mandatory minicamp begins on Tuesday, marking the start of more football-like practices.
Nevertheless, these last three weeks did offer a sneak view at what this squad could look like when it plays the Atlanta Falcons in three months to start the season. These are the key lessons learned from nine OTA sessions and discussions with coaches and players.
Much discussion around the country has focused on Justin Fields’ intention to push Wilson for the starting quarterback position. Forget for a second that the Steelers signed Wilson and chased him before they even made a move for Fields, implying that Wilson was their first choice to lead the offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Fields had a backup plan—and a very excellent one—when Kenny Pickett made the decision to leave the team.
Wilson was established as QB1 for the past three weeks and did absolutely nothing to suggest that three minicamp practices, 16 or so training camp practices and two preseason games (the starters presumably won’t play in one of the three) will change that.
#Steelers QB Justin Fields on learning from QB Russell Wilson.
“It’s been great just learning from him every day … the way he acts around his teammates. He’s been great. A great teammate to me. A great mentor to me.” pic.twitter.com/aEj1gL0DHS
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) June 6, 2024
2. Wilson’s arm talent
When looking at Wilson, at least from a distance, his leadership first stands out, followed by his strong work ethic and general likeability. Yes, somewhere in there is also his little stature.
Regarding specific football skills, however, the man still possesses his arm talent from his Seattle Seahawks days. Wilson shook my hand (or maybe he shook mine first), which may have contributed to his zip and accuracy at OTAs, whether he was hitting a deep ball to Quez Watkins or a dump-off in the flat. Who knows if that will carry over into the regular season, but consider how many open receivers Pickett routinely missed in the previous campaign. That does not seem to be the case with Wilson.
3. Don’t mess with the ILBs
No matter who could take offense, Patrick Queen enjoys speaking his opinion and engaging in trash talk. Plus, he is not too bad at math. Perhaps the most underappreciated player on the team is Elandon Roberts. He loves to destroy opponents’ linemen, running backs, and everyone else he faces. I anticipate Queen and Roberts to be a significant improvement over their previous appointees. They sound a lot like Vince Williams and Ryan Shazier, who did a great job together.
4. Rookie sensations?
So, Kaboly, how do the newbies look? I get that question a lot this time of the year and can generally put up an opinion. Not this year. After selecting an offensive tackle, a center, and a guard in the first four rounds, the Steelers just gave them drills to practice. Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, or Troy Fauntanu are all lying when they say they “look good.” After a week or so of training camp at Latrobe, ask me.
5. Is Freiermuth about to get paid?
The Steelers may choose to extend Pat Freiermuth’s contract tomorrow based on football in shorts. Smith’s preference for using tight ends in his offense has been well reported, and the OTAs made this clear.
In addition to being targeted frequently, Feiermuth appeared to be a real playmaker in this offense, so I questioned him about it. Perhaps this is a sign that a contract extension will be finalized before early September. “Me and my agent are going to keep it close to the vest about that,” he said. Hmm, OK. That’s a bit of a change from three weeks ago. Stay tuned.
6. Where does Patterson fit in?
Cordarrelle Patterson merely chuckled when I asked him whether the Steelers signed him to be more than just a kick returner. That joke, in my opinion, indicated that the organization had more in store for the veteran free agent than simply trying to take advantage of the new kickoff regulation.
Cordarrelle Patterson is on campus for Day 9. pic.twitter.com/L8Tr1HFDyI
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) June 6, 2024
Throughout his career, Patterson has filled the roles of running back and receiver. He even claimed to have sat in with the quarterbacks since arriving for the last week of organized team activities since you never know when they might find a throw for him. Maybe he was joking, but likely not. Patterson was brought in because Smith loved him in Atlanta, and because the Steelers can use him in a myriad of ways. Then when and where will play out over time.
7. Big man on campus
Patterson may be the team’s second-biggest receiver. Despite being labeled as 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he appears larger.
“I saw him walk in and said, ‘Damn, I didn’t know he was that big.’ He’s huge,” tackle Broderick Jones said. “For a utility player like him, he’s a great asset to have on the offensive side of the ball because he can do it all.”
8. Trimmer Najee?
Compared to his first few offseasons, Najee Harris does appear a little more toned. What is his trimmer amount? Well, nobody knows because Harris has yet to talk to the media. He’s not required to do so during voluntary practices but will be during mandatory practices next week. He does look fast, sharp and engaged but, yes, it’s football in shorts.
9. Punting, not holding
The Steelers signed free-agent punter Cam Johnston, and Tomlin pointed to analytics as the reason. Johnston’s booming leg has been noticeable over the past month, as has his directional punting. However, there is one more thing to tick off: holding. Johnston has yet to hold for kicker Chris Boswell, who recently got married and has not attended any offseason practices. Johnston does not fear.
“All he has to do is tell me where he wants it, and it’s that simple,” he said. “Christian (Kuntz) is such a good snapper, it’s going to be right where it needs to be anyway.”
Yes, Johnston is aware of the Bill Burr memes that are floating around.
Cameron Johnston really does look like Bill Burr #Steelers pic.twitter.com/yWEv6jOqIA
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) March 12, 2024
10. Loving Arthur Smith
Maybe it is the newness, or maybe it is deeper than that, but every player I’ve talked to about Smith loves his offense. Of course they are going to say that, but this is more than typical. It’s the way he’s able to create favorable matchups with formations and schemes. Lots of teams have talented players on both sides of the ball, but the goal is to find a matchup you can exploit. Whatever Smith has done so far has convinced offensive players he can do that, or at least do it better than the last guy.
11. Who is WR2?
Right now I’d say Van Jefferson, but to be honest, you can throw Watkins, Patterson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Marquez Callaway and Denzel Mims in there as well. Yeah, it’s not a good situation, and the Steelers know that. It would show a lack of awareness and urgency if they don’t add a legit No. 2 before the season starts. And I think they will.
12. Sutton’s return
Cornerback Cameron Sutton was eligible for a veteran minimum contract in June for a reason. After a warrant for his arrest was issued in March on suspicion of domestic abuse by strangulation, a felony, the Detroit Lions discharged him. After giving himself up 11 days later, Sutton was accused of one misdemeanor battery charge. Speaking to the media on Wednesday following his signing with the Steelers, who selected him in the 2017 NFL Draft, Sutton avoided discussing his legal status or the potential disciplinary action he might face from the league.
It seems sense that a lot of people were not pleased with the team’s decision to add Sutton, since owner Art Rooney II probably would not have approved the move.
Regarding Sutton’s possible position on the field, we saw last season that while he is not built to cover the opposing team’s best receiver, a few practice days showed that he may be a valuable member of the Steelers defense. In an emergency, he might move outside where there is less depth and play in the slot.
(Photo of Russell Wilson, 3, and Justin Fields, 2: Joe Sargent / Getty Images)
