Which Steelers starters could take a seat on the bench after training camp this year?
With Steelers training camp underway, all eyes are upon the most highly anticipated position battles in 2023.
After a prosperous draft, several Steelers rookies may be running an inside track to supplant veterans — there is perhaps no NFL team better described as "young and hungry." This is, after all, Year 2 of Kenny Pickett, a.k.a. The Year Things Should Start Looking Up for Pittsburgh. Unless, of course, Pickett somehow sinks to Zach Wilson levels of disappointment…
Of all positions, the Steelers offensive line and backfield could arguably see the most shake-ups this summer, and there may be one or two low-profile names who could steal a spot from right under these starters' noses.
Here are three Steelers starters in danger of getting benched after training camp.
Steelers starter who could get benched No. 3: Levi Wallace
Up first is a player the Steelers are cautiously high on this year: cornerback Levi Wallace. The former Bills defender turned into an invaluable addition in 2022; Wallace recorded a career-high four interceptions and 13 passes defended in nine starts.
Yet the Steelers doubled up on the cornerback position for a reason in this past draft — maybe they're not as sold on Wallace as the public might think.
Heading into 2023, the Steelers lost two starters in slot guy Cam Sutton and corner Akhello Witherspoon. Wallace, a productive ballhawk and established outside corner, theoretically becomes the next man up, but it really depends on how Pittsburgh utilizes offseason signings Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan.
If the Steelers play Peterson outside (where he's normally played) and Sullivan in the slot, Wallace could lose the second outside job to rookie Joey Porter Jr., a guy the franchise is definitely high on.
However, if the 33-year-old Peterson can't readily compete with young wideouts on 1v1s and gets bumped into the slot, Wallace and Porter Jr. could both start this season.
Assuming the former scheme, Wallace's starting credentials may pale in comparison to the newcomer Porter's. Wallace surrendered 15.9 yards per completion in 2022, according to Pro Football Reference. Porter has a completely clean slate.
If the early second-round pick can dazzle right out of the gate, and if Peterson sticks to the outside, Wallace will be the odd man out.
Steelers starter who could get benched No. 2: Dan Moore Jr.
Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has started every game except for one in the last two seasons. He's the guy to beat.
But after last year's performance, it shouldn't be that difficult to supplant him.
Moore allowed seven sacks and ten quarterback hits in 2022. As Kenny Pickett's blindside protector, he'll have to do much better this season.
Enter the Steelers' 2023 first-rounder, Broderick Jones. Pittsburgh moved up to draft him in April and have since set Gothic arch-high expectations for the 22-year-old: become the offensive line's durable anchor for years to come.
The Steelers are in no rush to roll out Jones amid a semi-rebuilding era, but if Jones looks the part of a Day 1 starter in camp, why not play him? He could certainly use the experience, having only 19 starts back at Georgia.
Pittsburgh is going to face some experienced and daunting pass-rushers in the AFC North (Garrett, Hendrickson), so there's a case for not throwing Jones into the lion's den. On the flip side, this is a pivotal developmental year for Kenny Pickett, and the Steelers should equip him with the best tools to succeed. That could mean Dan Moore out, Broderick Jones in.
Steelers starter who could get benched No.1: Allen Robinson
Depending on how Matt Canada tinkers with the slot receiver position, the third wideout job currently exists in flux. For instance, Pat Freiermuth and fast-riser Darnell Washington could be employed in more two-tight-end sets, eliminating the slot guy altogether.
Should Canada roll with a more traditional slot receiver, ex-Rams' Allen Robinson II appears to be the favorite, as he has nearly a decade of experience, especially experience playing with less-than-stellar quarterbacks. Right now, Pickett fits that description.
Despite Robinson's cemented versatility, 2022 fourth-rounder Calvin Austin III could earn the No. 3 wideout role with a tremendous, breakout-level camp. The do-it-all speedster missed his entire rookie season due to injury, but Austin returns in 2023 on a mission to establish a solid role in the offense.
The Steelers could even experiment with playing Austin out of the backfield to add a bit of spice and creativity to their humdrum offense — the opportunities are endless.
In 2022, the Rams couldn't figure out how to use Robinson effectively, and maybe in 2023 the Steelers run into some snags with Robinson's scheme usage, too. One or two preseason hiccups could give way to Austin to rise up the depth chart and earn himself a starting role, wherever that may be in the Steelers' formation.
