The Pittsburgh Steelers arrived at St. Vincent College in Latrobe yesterday with relatively little fanfare. There were no helicopters or stretch limos that I’m aware of and most of the focus was on football. The team is pretty healthy overall with just three players unable to participate (Cole Holcomb, Dean Lowry and Cordarrelle Patterson) at the beginning of Camp. Most of the attention however was focused elsewhere.
Najee
For the first time since the team declined his fifth-year option, Najee Harris answered questions from the media. As one would expect, he was disappointed and sounded that way. Not getting that fifth-year option is kind of like when you’re expecting a raise at work and yet, you don’t get it.
Harris knows this is a business. He referred to that and also said he “likes it here.” He claims the Steelers declined the option in large part due to uncertainty in the direction of the offense. That’s fair but let’s also not ignore the fact that Jaylen Warren has emerged and is a less expensive option.
We also have to recognize that in Arthur Smith’s offense Harris isn’t exactly a “perfect” fit. People often want to compare him to former Alabama RB Derrick Henry and think he would fit well in Smith’s offense as Henry did. The truth is that there are some aspects that do but there are many that don’t and that’s the team’s concern.
‘Muth
Long-time Steelers’ writer Mark Kaboly of The Athletic wrote this morning that the team should immediately extend Pat Freiermuth’s contract. He cites the fact that the tight end position is heavily relied upon in Smith’s offense. That’s totally fair but I’ve got two problems with it.
First is Freiermuth’s inability to block. It’s not for lack of effort by any stretch but he just doesn’t possess the overall strength to battle stronger and faster defensive ends and outside linebackers from an ‘in-line’ blocking perspective. Second is his injury history. In three seasons he has accumulated knee and hamstring injuries and most importantly he has suffered three concussions. In my opinion he is literally one more of these from being done with football altogether.
What is my solution to the position? You let Muth ride it out this year and see how things go. Either way he isn’t going to cost you a ton of money compared to other tight ends and there’s no reason not to look back to the draft or free agency for a potential replacement. We are not talking about a Heath Miller level tight end here so replacing him isn’t impossible.
On the Field
As the Steelers make their way down to Chuck Noll field today there is plenty to watch. Here are a couple of things to keep an eye on.
-Does Russell Wilson – as most expect – take the bulk of the first team reps?
-Keep an eye on the reps for Cam Heyward. I wouldn’t expect a ton either way but with the current contract situation there may be even less. This gives the younger guys a chance.
-Perhaps the biggest story of the offseason is who gets the nod at receiver opposite George Pickens? Will someone take the spot over or will no one rise and Omar Khan will be forced to make a move?
-Lastly is that slot corner position. With Cam Sutton out the first eight games due to suspension, who gets the call there? My money is on rookie Beanie Bishop but it won’t come easy.
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