Predicting the Outcome of Major Steelers Training Camp Battles: Defense

Pittsburgh Steelers football is back as the team reports to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe for Training Camp. A lot of details will be sorted out over the coming weeks as the team prepares for the 2025 Season, and here at SCN, we’ve got you covered from every angle!

Part of the process Mike Tomlin and this coaching staff have in front of them is determining positional workloads and making final decisions about who will and won’t make the roster. The margins are often so small between a player making the 53-man roster or finding himself without a job. Other players might be locked into a spot on the 53-man roster and fighting for 1st or 2nd team snaps.

In this 2-part series, I take a look at the most intriguing position battles on Offense and Defense and try to determine who has the edge and who will ultimately earn the biggest roles and final roster spots!

For a look at the Training Camp Battles on Offense, click HERE.

For Part 2, it’s Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin’s side of the ball.

LOGAN LEE VS. DEAN LOWRY VS. DEMARVIN LEAL

A true 3-man contest for what could be the final spot on the roster along the DL. It’s hard to know who has the edge early, although Leal’s versatility to play at OLB could be the difference for him. He has to show he can be effective on the interior though. For Lee and Lowry, it’s about which one shows they can handle the various down-to-down rotational roles most consistently. If the Steelers keep 7 Interior D-Linemen this season like they did in 2024, one of these 3 guys will make the roster.

Projected Winner: Dean Lowry

JACK SAWYER VS. JEREMIAH MOON

Make no mistake, this will be a competitive battle, with Moon, the returning vet who turned in a solid enough performance last offseason to land on the practice squad, taking on the 4th Rd Rookie out of Ohio State, who looks to bring his signature physicality to the table and earn the 4th Edge spot on the roster. Mike Tomlin will love how these 2 guys push each other, but in the end, this is a two-dogs-one-bone situation.

Projected Winner: Jack Sawyer

MARK ROBINSON VS. CARSON BRUENER

Much like the final Edge Rusher spot, the off-ball LB competition is between a veteran and a Rookie, with the former hoping his physical downhill abilities will be enough to hold off the more athletic rookie 7th rounder. Bruener’s abilities in coverage could be the difference here, along with the fact that Robinson has been given ample opportunities to develop and hasn’t truly found his footing to this point.

Projected Winner: Carson Bruener

BRANDIN ECHOLS VS. CORY TRICE

This is a playing time battle. Trice has always had a lot of upside, but the early career injuries and slow development left the door open for the Steelers to prioritize an offseason acquisition at the position, and Echols has proven versatility and vet savvy to the room. Both players will comfortably make the roster in my opinion, but which one earns the primary backup role will be determined here at Camp.

Projected Winner: Cory Trice

BEANIE BISHOP VS. DONTE KENT

The 2nd-year, former undrafted rookie versus the 2025 7th Round pick is spicier than it sounds, with the winner likely locking down the backup Nickel CB spot. Bishop’s ball skills and physicality despite his size make him fun to root for, and Kent’s inside/outside versatility and Kick Return skills make him a formidable challenger.

Projected Winner: Beanie Bishop

SEBASTIAN CASTRO VS. QUINDELL JOHNSON

With the current state of the Steelers Safety depth, this could be a very important battle for the team. While I still expect PIT to land an outside contributor in the room, for now it’s between Castro and Johnson. Both players can play in the Nickel, in the box, or deep. I don’t know much about Johnson, but he has good ball skills, while Castro feels like the better tackler. This is truly wide open, and I’m excited to watch the battle!

Projected Winner: Sebastian Castro