Drew Allar Eli Heidenreich Steelers rookie class preseason
Drew Allar Eli Heidenreich Steelers rookie class preseason
Who has the best chance of raising their stock in the Steelers’ preseason opener?
In under 36 hours, the Steelers will be playing an actual football game. Even though it doesn’t count, it will hold meaning for many. Players win and lose roster spots, or gain roles, based on what they do in these exhibition bouts. It’s not for everybody, but for a select type of fan, watching the bottom of the roster compete holds a lot of value.
So who on the Steelers is in the best position to help themselves tomorrow night in the preseason opener against the Packers? One obvious answer would be Will Howard, who is trying to earn the backup quarterback job and preserve his roster spot. Aaron Rodgers firmly believes he has nothing to gain, though.
One interesting player to consider is Roman Wilson. He had a strong preseason for the Steelers last year, yet it didn’t translate. His reputation now is that he is an excellent practice player who struggles to bring it on Sunday. So even if he has another quality preseason, how much of a difference would it make?
To that end, I would argue that Germie Bernard is among the Steelers with the most to gain for this preseason game. So far, he has had a somewhat quiet training camp, yet the coaches insist he is where they expect him to be. If he can make a splash play or two, that could open some eyes and earn him extra snaps.
Obviously, anybody in a roster or role battle would be in this discussion. A big one, I think, is Broderick Jones. Having been a starter for the Steelers for three years, he needs to prove during the preseason that he is sufficiently in shape to handle the role. If he is going to make a move, it needs to be inside stadiums.
The secondary is a big one, too, especially with some big-name players sidelined. If the Steelers want to see how deep they are here, they can find out in the preseason. Asante Samuel Jr. and Daylen Everette are the big names at cornerback, but what about a veteran and a rookie safety? I want to see Rayshawn Jenkins and Robert Spears-Jennings and what they can bring as depth to that spot.
And then there’s Eli Heidenreich…I don’t think I even have to elaborate there.
The Steelers have a long road ahead of them under Mike McCarthy, along with his cadre of quarterbacks.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are under fire for their repeated playoff failures. While we have seen many changes, none could dream of topping Mike Tomlin resigning.
We’re already into training camp, with free agency and the draft already reshaping rosters. The Steelers, of course, are used to early offseason mode as a team thatloses by the middle of January all the time. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.