Predicting the Outcome of Major Steelers Training Camp Battles: Offense

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, we’ll 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!

First up, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith’s side of the ball.

JAYLEN WARREN VS. KALEB JOHNSON

Let’s start with a bang! While obviously both players will have large roles and be impactful players for the Black and Gold in 2025, which back will establish himself as the true RB1 in the offense could change the dynamic of the offense in a big way. I believe Warren is better suited in a lighter workload, where he can stay fresh and explosive and impact the passing game in pass pro and as a receiver. Kaleb Johnson has the makings of a workhorse back in the NFL, and I think his physical style, impressive ball-security, and underrated big-play ability will have him earn the title of “RB1” heading into the season.

Projected Winner: Kaleb Johnson

WILL HOWARD VS. SKYLAR THOMPSON

is this even a battle? I think we have to mention it, because it’s a contest at the game’s most important position: Quarterback. Will Howard comes in as the six round rookie to take on the first quarterback to sign with the Steelers 2025 roster. In the end, this almost definitely goes to the rookie, barring injury or just an unreal level of poor performance from Howard. I believe in the kid as an NFL quarterback, so you can imagine where I’m going with this one.

 Projected Winner: Will Howard

PAT FREIERMUTH VS. JONNU SMITH

Don’t need to spend a lot of time on this one, but I did want to draw attention to the expected workloads for these two players after the acquisition of Smith in the Blockbuster trade that sent Minkah Fitz-packing back to Miami in exchange for the dynamic TE and CB Jalen Ramsey. Smith and Freiermuth are very different players, but in the end, ‘Muth will be relied upon as the more traditional down-field TE1 threat, working more vertically while Smith operates underneath and in the screen game.

Projected Winner: Pat Freiermuth

SPENCER ANDERSON VS. MAX SCHARPING

The battle for primary backup along the Interior OL might be the closest one to call, specifically between Anderson and Scharping. This could end up being a classic “2 dogs, 1 bone” contest as Mike Tomlin loves to coin it, with Anderson owning the upper hand in versatility, while Scharping is more of a veteran. This could also just simply be a “first guy off the bench” contest. The Steelers kept 5 IOL players on their initial 53-man roster last year. In the end, the youth and versatility win out in my opinion.

Projected Winner: Spencer Anderson

DYLAN COOK VS. CALVIN ANDERSON

While admittedly I don’t know a lot about how the Steelers plan to handle their Swing Tackle spot this season, I think it really could be a battle between Cook and Anderson to hold down that role as the primary backup at both OT spots. The Steelers kept 9 Offensive Linemen in 2024, and if they do so again, guys like Scharping, Spencer Anderson and Ryan McCollum seem like the primary backups along the interior, leaving 1 more spot for a swing tackle (which Spencer Anderson can also handle in a pinch).

Projected Winner: Calvin Anderson

ROMAN WILSON VS. ROBERT WOODS

Roman Wilson is a roster lock in my opinion, and although Robert Woods is not due to his age, there is room for both players. That said, I believe the Steelers would love for their 2024 3rd Round Pick to show out as the dynamic, versatile pass catching weapon they drafted him to be. Wilson has the edge in youth, dynamism, and investment heading into 2025, the experience, reliability, and run-blocking prowess of “Bobby Trees” could see him win the contest outright early on while Wilson gets his legs.

Projected Winner: Robert Woods

SCOTTY MILLER VS. ROC TAYLOR

This is more of a final roster spot battle, but Taylor has a chance to show his physicality and playmaking ability this preseason. This a classic upside vs. floor argument, with Miller’s experience and savvy giving him a high floor as a 5th or 6th WR, while Taylor’s relatively unknown but intriguing skillset represents a higher ceiling for this team. This is a projection, obviously, but I think in the end the Steelers need to chase some forms of development options at WR with as many unknowns as there are at the position. For me, the edge goes to Taylor.

Projected Winner: Roc Taylor

Check back later in the week for a look at the Defensive position battles as Training Camp gets underway for the Steelers! Stay tuned to SCN for all your Steelers Camp news and notes!