It's been a whirlwind of a week for Wilson, who technically was still sharing the depth chart with both Pickett and Mason Rudolph when news broke Wilson would be signing with the Steelers on Sunday. Rudolph quickly departed for the Titans in free agency, however, and Pickett's exit removes any obstacle to the starting job for Wilson. However, given the thinning of the depth chart and the fact Wilson is on a one-year deal, it's a certainty Pittsburgh will be making multiple additions at the position in coming weeks.

The rookie third-round pick out of North Carolina State enjoyed an injury-riddled but productive college career that saw him record 402 tackles, including 48 total tackles for loss, seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. A checkered medical history led to Wilson's slight drop in draft stock, but he arrives in the NFL with blinding 4.4 speed that Brooks feels will enable him to make plays from sideline to sideline with regularity.

Kaboly believes Jefferson is the favorite to open the season as the starter opposite George Pickens, who is the clear top option in Pittsburgh's wide receiver room. Jefferson has 61 regular-season NFL games under his belt, while Wilson will have to earn the coaching staff's trust as a rookie third-round draft pick out of Michigan. It's unclear if any wide receiver besides Pickens will see significant target volume under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, as no wide receiver besides Drake London was targeted more than 30 times on the Smith-coached Falcons offense last season.

Harris is already battling for playing time against Jaylen Warren, but while Warren is more likely to siphon pass-catching opportunities rather than short-yardage work, Patterson could cut into Harris' opportunities by the goal line. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith gave Patterson plenty of goal-line work when they were together in Atlanta, as Patterson didn't score a rushing touchdown last season but racked up 14 rushing touchdowns over the previous two campaigns.

Allen is unlikely to challenge Russell Wilson or Justin Fields for the top two spots on the depth chart, but Wilson's 35 years old and Fields missed four games due to a thumb injury last season. Therefore, Allen could offer a cheap insurance policy should the injury bug bite Pittsburgh's quarterback room. With 19 starts under his belt, Allen has enough experience to be a reliable stop-gap option if called upon, so the Steelers will likely keep him around after final cuts.

Kaboly believes Fields' chances of starting under center in 2024 are extremely slim, with Fields instead auditioning for a starting role in 2025 while working out the issues with his fundamentals that limited his effectiveness in Chicago. After speculation that the Steelers would hold an open quarterback competition heading into the 2024 season, it instead looks like more of a traditional starter and backup situation, with Wilson sitting atop the depth chart and Fields a clear second.

The Steelers moved on from Mason Cole during the offseason and attempted to fill the void by selecting Frazier with the 51st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh does have other options for the position such as Nate Herbig, though the team is likely to give Frazier every chance to take the starting job immediately.

George Pickens is the clear top wideout in Pittsburgh, but there isn't an obvious choice to work opposite of him. Jefferson has shown flashes of ability during his career, highlighted by a 2021 season in which he posted 50 catches for 802 yards with the Rams. His primary competition appears to be Quez Watkins, as rookie Roman Wilson fits best in the slot. Regardless of how the wide receiver depth chart falls, tight end Pat Freiermuth could end up finishing second on the Steelers to Pickens in targets.

Patterson's most obvious impact will come as a kick returner given the revamped kickoff roles for the new season. However, Kaboly points to the Steelers' financial commitment to Patterson -- $6 million across two years -- to suggest that Patterson won't be limited to just being a specialist. Even if that's the case, Pittsburgh's offense is likely to be powered by the run game, so there should still be plenty of work for both Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Edholm begins by noting that it's difficult to put trust in Russell Wilson or Justin Fields as far as team MVP candidacy, considering neither has even laid claim to the starting quarterback job yet. In turn, he sees Watt as the centerpiece of what should once again be a formidable defense, and he adds that there's even a chance the standout pass rusher makes it to the 100-career-sack mark before he turns 30 in October.

Kaboly has George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson and Quez Watkins all running ahead of Miller at receiver heading into training camp, and Pittsburgh is still looking to upgrade the position on the trade market. Miller has appeared in 67 NFL games split between the Buccaneers and Falcons over the past five seasons, but his lack of special-teams contributions could ultimately keep him on the wrong side of the roster bubble.

Watkins' ability to contribute on special teams could prove to be the difference in a position battle that's unlikely to be decided until final cuts. Even if he makes the team, Watkins isn't expected to see significant playing time in a receiving corps that also includes George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin and rookie Roman Wilson. Kaboly also expects the Steelers to pursue a big-name addition at the position before the start of the regular season.

Edwards signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia and will likely get plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills during the preseason. However, Kaboly believes Pittsburgh will roster only three running backs, with returnees Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren and free-agent signing Cordarrelle Patterson all likely heading into training camp ahead of Edwards on the depth chart. If he fails to make the team, Edwards will likely wind up on Pittsburgh's practice squad.

The versatile Fitzpatrick played a career-high 12.2 snaps per game in the box and eight per game in the slot last season, but he failed to force a turnover. The Steelers are hoping to get the star safety back to playing "Minkah Ball," and that entails more opportunities to anticipate and pick off throws as the last line of defense, which is what Fitzpatrick did en route to six interceptions in 2022.

That's an ambitious goal for a 35-year-old defensive end who underwent his second groin surgery in five months back in February, and who managed only two sacks in 11 games during the 2023 campaign. Heyward has spent his entire career with the Steelers since being selected in the first round of the 2011 Draft, but he's heading into the final year of his current contract, and the team has so far been reluctant to extend him.

Freiermuth is coming off his worst season as a pro while stuck in an unproductive Steelers offense. He also battled a hamstring injury but is now healthy and a centerpiece of the revamped passing game in Pittsburgh. George Pickens is locked into the top receiving role, though the team lacks a clear second pass catcher, so Freiermuth should be in position to command plenty of targets.

Kaboly reports that Washington has made little progress as a pass catcher relative to his rookie year. The 2023 third-round pick should still find the field as a blocker -- an area in which he excels -- but Pat Freiermuth figures to command nearly all of the targets at tight end in 2024.

Khan explained the team had to make a decision by May 2, which organically created urgency. However, Khan noted that team management is very pleased with Harris as "a player and a person" while emphasizing the door was open to still working out a long-term deal with the running back next offseason. Harris, who's produced three straight 1,000-yard seasons to open his career, isn't speaking to reporters about the situation until training camp and remains focused on familiarizing himself with coordinator Arthur Smith's offensive system.

By his own admission, Pickens is pleased with the development, noting he considers himself "a total receiver" and emphasizing he enjoys slot work as much as he does lining up on the perimeter. Pryor notes the deployment of the team's clear-cut top receiver in the slot is one of several wrinkles being introduced by new coordinator Arthur Smith, with the goal being to line the speedy Pickens up against linebackers and safeties more often.

Harris is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Steelers declined to pick up the running back's fifth-year option in May. With offensive coordinator Arthur Smith coming in with a new scheme and with the collapse of the running back market in recent years, Shook believes that 2024 is a prove-it year for Harris, whom Pittsburgh took in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris rushed for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns on 255 carries last season, and the Alabama product will lead the Steelers' backfield that also consists of Jaylen Warren and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Despite Pittsburgh trading a 2025 sixth-round pick to Chicago to acquire Fields, coach Mike Tomlin said in March that Wilson was in "pole position" to open the season as the Steelers' starting quarterback, per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com. That's how it has played out during OTAs, with Lewis noting that there is "absolutely nothing" to suggest that Wilson has lost grasp of the starting job. In his final season in Denver, Wilson completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions over 15 games.

Fields was asked about the possibility of leveraging his diverse skill set and elite speed to fill a role akin to that of the Saints' Taysom Hill or former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, and he confirmed he'd be ready to play "in whatever capacity" he was asked to this coming season. Fields' athleticism would seemingly make him a natural for such a role, but the 2021 first-round pick confirmed the team was just in the early stages of installing plays thus far in the offseason program.

Wilson and Fields are still slated to battle things out for the top quarterback job this summer, but Wilson acknowledged Thursday that his teammate's extraordinary skill set could call for the two to share the field or divide up plays on occasion. Such a suggestion was made earlier in the week when Fields was asked about potentially filling a Kordell Stewart-type of role in the offense, and Wilson concurred that would be a viable idea. "Justin is obviously one of the most talented guys in the NFL," Wilson said. "You know all the things he can do. I think it would strike fear in some defenses, that's for sure."

Watkins enjoyed some productive spells during his rookie contract with the Eagles, but he was never more than the team's No. 3 option in the passing game. He'll have the chance to fight for a bigger role in Pittsburgh, as the depth chart is wide open behind George Pickens. That isn't to say Watkins won't face competition, as tight end Pat Freiermuth should be heavily involved in the offense and Pittsburgh drafted Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft while also signing a number of other depth wide receivers in free agency.

Porter was asked to name the best corners in the league and began with himself, before also listing the likes of Sauce Gardner, Patrick Surtain, Jaire Alexander and Denzel Ward. Porter's logic was based on the strength of his assignments, as he was consistently tasked with shadowing the opposing team's top wide receiver as a rookie. His claim would certainly be debated by most, but he'll enter his sophomore year with confidence -- a key for playing his position.

The 24-year-old linebacker signed a three-year, $41 million contract with Pittsburgh this offseason, but only $13.84 million is fully guaranteed. Queen indicated on a Steelers podcast last week that he got offers with an average annual value of as much as $17 million, but not from teams built to win in 2024. "For me, the difference was like $4 or $5 million," Queen said. "I'm looking at it like, I've never been on a losing team before, and then I also don't want to be a part of anything being rebuilt because I'm trying to win now. ... I'm really just trying to win right now, get that out the way and then get paid later." Queen spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Steelers' NFC North rivals, the Ravens, playing every game and averaging 113.5 tackles per year.

Kaboly believes that it's a four-way battle for the WR2 spot between Austin, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and rookie Roman Wilson. It could simply come down to who quarterback Russell Wilson develops the most trust in throughout OTAs and training camp. Although he finished 2023 with 17 catches for 180 yards, Austin had a strong start to the season, accumulating 12 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown over the first four games.

Freiermuth and Wilson held a throwing session together earlier in the spring, which seems to have paid dividends during OTAs, as the duo connected on multiple passes during drills. Freiermuth had a down year in 2023, finishing with 32 catches on 47 targets for 308 yards and two scores, as the Steelers struggled to find consistency at quarterback. Entering his contract year, Freiermuth could be on the verge of a breakout season as he catches passes from a proven veteran like Wilson.

Coach Mike Tomlin has made it clear that Wilson is the presumed starter, but the veteran QB has not taken his spot for granted. Both Wilson and Fields commented during the first day of OTAs Tuesday that they'll enjoy pushing each other in the leadup to the season, as both signal callers look to rehabilitate their status around the league. The duo have also been friends for several years, with Wilson taking on a mentorship role to Fields.

As it became clear that Fields' time in Chicago was coming to a close, he spoke with general manager Ryan Poles to lay out his preferred destination. His chances of landing in Pittsburgh took a hit when Russell Wilson signed with the team, but the trade of Kenny Pickett then created an opening on the Steelers' roster. Fields is set to compete with Wilson for the starting role during training camp.

Wilson carries some size concerns at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, but he posted a sub 4.4 40-yard dash and scored 12 touchdowns for the Wolverines during his 2023 senior season. Rosenthal cites the Steelers' lack of depth and his belief veteran offseason addition Van Jefferson may not even make the final roster as factors that could open a clear path to a starting role for Wilson as a rookie.

The Steelers declined to pick up Harris' fifth-year option earlier this offseason, making 2024 a contract year for the 2021 first-round pick. Harris' trainer Josh Scott notes the running back has been "almost obsessively clean" with his diet, and he added Harris is aiming to add more explosiveness, which has largely been a missing element in his game, with the drop in weight.

Heyward noted on his Not Just Football podcast that he wants to be a Steeler but qualified that by adding "but we'll see what happens." Heyward is set to make $16 million this coming season, yet he's looking for an extension after making six straight Pro Bowls from 2017-22. Heyward's absence from OTAs is excused since they're voluntary, but he could begin incurring fines if he sits out Pittsburgh's minicamp, which takes place June 11-13.

Wilson is the favorite to start Week 1 for the Steelers, but Rosenthal thinks Pittsburgh will eventually turn to Fields, who is 10 years younger. Rosenthal's logic centers around both being mobile quarterbacks with similar skill sets, though it's worth noting that Wilson's career 334:106 TD:INT is far more impressive than Fields' 40:30 ratio. Wilson has thrown at least 25 touchdown passes in nine of his 12 NFL seasons, while Fields hasn't thrown more than 17 in any of his three campaigns.

Rosenthal's logic is that Fields has a similar skill set to Russell Wilson, so the Steelers may as well go with the upside of the far younger quarterback. The 35-year-old Wilson is viewed as the favorite to win Pittsburgh's Week 1 starting job over the 25-year-old Fields after the Steelers remade their quarterback room by acquiring both earlier in the offseason.

Warren logged a career-high 149 carries in 2023, and he could be in store for an even bigger role this coming season. Both Warren and Harris will be playing in new coordinator's Arthur Smith's run-heavy attack, and the Steelers reportedly want to see how much of a fit Harris is within it before potentially extending an offer on a new deal next offseason. The developments mean Warren, who's slated to be a restricted free agent after this season, will potentially be in line to inherit the lead-back role in 2025, especially if he proves capable of thriving in the team's new system.

Harris will therefore be a free agent following the 2024 season, potentially making this coming campaign his last with the team that invested the 24th overall pick in him back in the 2021 NFL Draft. Harris has generated 1,000-plus rushing yards and at least seven rushing scores in each of his first three seasons while adding 144 catches in that span, so he's hardly been a bust. Therefore, Pryor notes the Steelers simply want to see how good a fit Harris will be in new coordinator Arthur Smith's offense and aren't ruling out working out a new deal with the Alabama product next offseason.

Warren revealed the very intriguing news as a guest of teammate Cam Heyward's "Not Just Football" podcast during the Steelers' NFL Draft party. Smith's suggestion is unlikely to be implemented, but the idea likely stemmed from the combination of Fields' 4.45 speed and the new rules that prevent the coverage team from running toward the returner until the kickoff has been fielded. Pryor reports the injury risk that would still be involved in having Fields bring back kickoffs and the fact Pittsburgh also signed Cordarrelle Patterson this offseason would make the scenario of Fields filling that role very unlikely.

Holcomb signed a three-year deal with Pittsburgh last March after a productive if injury-marred stint in Washington, but the health issues followed him to the AFC North, and he played only eight games for the Steelers before suffering a season-ending knee injury. There's no guarantee the 27-year-old will be recovered in time for Week 1, and given the additions the team has made to the linebacker room, the Steelers could be planning to move on. Releasing Holcomb could create $4 million in cap space.

The 25-year-old guard suited up for all 17 games last season but started only two after signing a two-year deal with Pittsburgh last March. Releasing Herbig would create $4 million in cap space for the Steelers, but the team might value having experienced interior line depth more than the additional room in the budget.

Pittsburgh overhauled the quarterback room following the 2023 season. After letting Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky leave in free agency and trading Kenny Pickett to the Eagles, the Steelers acquired Wilson and Fields from the Broncos and Bears in separate trades. Tomlin noted that Wilson's "collective body of work" gives him the inside edge on Fields as the starter, but the former Chicago quarterback will "be given an opportunity to compete" in training camp.

Prior reports suggested that Pittsburgh would wait until after the 2024 NFL Draft to decide whether to exercise the option, but the Steelers seem to have made up their mind already. The decision not to pick up Fields' option after trading for him earlier in the offseason means both Fields and Russell Wilson are set to become free agents after the 2024 season. If the Steelers ultimately decide to re-sign Fields, they will likely be able to get him for less than the $25.66 million he would have been due on the fifth-year option.

Both parties are in a tricky situation, as Fields has yet to play a down for the Steelers but would be owed $25.7 million in 2025. The potential solution could be the Steelers declining the option, then coming to a short-term agreement at a lesser salary as Fields attempts to improve his market value. The Packers and Jordan Love followed a similar model in 2023 and may have provided the path forward in this case.

Harris has had his role as lead back in Pittsburgh challenged across the last two seasons by Jaylen Warren. Nevertheless, he's handled at least 250 carries in all three of his seasons as a pro while also topping 1,000 rushing yards and scoring at least eight total touchdowns in every campaign. Harris' fifth-year option is worth $6.8 million, so the team could opt to lessen his cap hit by either letting Harris walk after four years or by trying to sign him to a multi-year extension with a lessened annual salary.

Patra's theory is centered on his belief that Wilson won't be able to hold off fellow Steel City newcomer Justin Fields for the top job under center for the full season. That belief stems from Wilson's 2023 body of work, which Patra labels as better than that of his forgettable 2022 campaign but still "skittish" and replete with missed throws.

It's been a whirlwind of a week for Wilson, who technically was still sharing the depth chart with both Pickett and Mason Rudolph when news broke Wilson would be signing with the Steelers on Sunday. Rudolph quickly departed for the Titans in free agency, however, and Pickett's exit removes any obstacle to the starting job for Wilson. However, given the thinning of the depth chart and the fact Wilson is on a one-year deal, it's a certainty Pittsburgh will be making multiple additions at the position in coming weeks.