5 Under-the-Radar 2025 Steelers Training Camp Battles

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of their 2025 training camp, and there are many position battles which are just getting started. While there are some obvious battles which are taking place, a great example would be at running back between Jaylen Warren and rookie Kaleb Johnson, but there are many under-the-radar battles which should be a focal point for the fan base during camp and the preseason.

The majority of these under-the-radar battles are for those final few fringe positions on the roster. Players who will have to prove their worth not just on offense or defense, but special teams.

So, let’s get to those lesser known camp battles you might want to keep your eye on during the run up to the 2025 regular season:

Isaiahh Loudermilk vs. DeMarvin Leal vs. Logan Lee

Loudermilk and Leal are two drafted players during the Kevin Colbert era, while Logan Lee was a draft pick of Omar Khan. Does this matter? To some, maybe not. To me, it absolutely does. Khan has shown he is more willing to part ways with Colbert’s players than his own, so you have to give an edge to Lee in this respect. On top of that, Lee’s relationship with former Iowa teammate Yayha Black might also give him a nudge in this race.

However, there is plenty to be said about where Leal will be playing. He is listed on the Steelers website at 290lbs, which seems heavy to be moved to an outside linebacker-type role on the defense.

Who will win this battle? Whoever plays the best special teams, along with being valuable depth along the defensive line. Of these three, I see one player making the 53-man roster.

Daniel Ekuale vs. Dean Lowry

These two veterans will likely be battling it out for one spot on the roster, and based on contract the edge goes to Ekuale. The two 31-year-old players will be hoping to fill the Larry Ogunjobi role of spelling Cam Heyward and some other younger players who should be seeing the field more.

Sadly, sometimes these battles come down to who stays healthy throughout camp and the preseason. If a player pulls a hamstring and misses a week of practice reps and preseason play, it might be the end of their dream of suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. Just like the previous battle, I see only one of these players making the final roster.

Carson Bruener vs. Mark Robinson vs. Jeremiah Moon

You might be thinking how Bruener and Robinson are inside linebackers and Moon is an outside linebacker, why would they all be in the same camp battle? Simple, this will come down to special teams play. In other words, who will fill the Tyler Matakevich role from 2024? That role is a player who is only called on defense in dire circumstances, but playing every special teams snap.

I think two of these three likely make the roster, and barring injury feel as if Bruener is shoe-in to make the team, for a variety of reasons. Between Robinson and Moon, let the best man win.

Calvin Anderson vs. Dylan Cook

On the offensive side of the ball the battle for back-up swing tackle will rage on between Anderson and Cook. The Steelers were high on Cook last year before his ankle injury landed him on Injured Reserve (IR). Anderson was signed mid-season, came in on one play and got beat to surrender a sack. Not a great debut.

While the team might still be looking for another proven commodity as their swing tackle, this will be a battle to watch as training camp rages on in Latrobe.

Corliss Waitman vs. Cameron Johnston

Last, but certainly not least, most fans don’t realize the team has two proven punters on their current roster. Waitman is coming off a tremendous 2024 campaign filling in for the injured Johnston, but some might forget just how good Johnston is when it comes to the Steelers desires for a punter.

Johnston is having a great camp so far, reporters have been amazed by his punting prowess early in camp, and the hope might be the Steelers get a trade partner to acquire a late round pick for Waitman. Before doing that, the Steelers need to know Johnston is healthy and completely healed from his difficult knee injury suffered almost a year ago.

Waitman might be the odd man out, but his NFL career might continue somewhere outside of Pittsburgh.

I explain this further on my Friday “Let’s Ride” podcast, which can be heard in the player below: