The Steelers will convene as a full team for the first time in an official capacity during the 10 organized team activities sessions at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
The team is scheduled to practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon until approximately 1:50 p.m. on the South Side this week. The locker room will be open for player access for 30 minutes following the conclusion of each practice. The next two weeks after this will feature practices on May 28-30 and June 3-6 at times to be announced.
This will, as always, be the beginning of the blending of newcomers and returners. It's important to note that OTAs are voluntary practices, so it's possible that players might not attend for one reason or another.
Here are five things to watch during the sessions:
1. Cam Heyward says he'll play hooky
Heyward said on his Not Just Football podcast Thursday that he plans on skipping OTAs as he seeks a contract extension with the Steelers.
“First of all, it’s voluntary. Let’s get that straight. I’m working out, doing everything," Heyward said. "I have always attended these, but at this time, it’s just contract negotiations. I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we’ll see what happens.
"You got to do what’s right for you. I’m training hard. There’s nothing I’m not doing on and off the field. I’m doing everything possible, and we’ll get there when we get there.”
Heyward has never skipped these sessions in his 13 full seasons in the NFL. He has a $22.4 million cap hit in 2024, which is the final year of his four-year extension signed in 2020. An extension could lower that cap hit depending on the dollar amount. Heyward is entering his age-35 season and missed six games after undergoing groin surgery in 2023. He spent the entirety of the regular season maintaining that same groin.
2. The first looks of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
Omar Khan overhauled the Steelers' quarterbacks room this offseason, and this will be the first opportunity to see Wilson and Fields in a practice setting on the South Side. Wilson signed as a free agent on a one-year, $1.21 million deal that piggybacks the $39 million in guaranteed money he is making from the Broncos. Wilson is the presumptive starting quarterback ahead of Fields, who was acquired via trade one day after the Steelers dealt Kenny Pickett to the Eagles in March.
Wilson completed 66.4% of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions for Denver last season. The Steelers scored half as many touchdowns through the air last season, though that's sure to improve with Arthur Smith installed as offensive coordinator. Fields' fifth-year option for 2025 was not picked up by the Steelers, so this season will be a "redshirt" type of year that affords Fields the opportunity to reset after three seasons in Chicago.
3. Who is the wide receiver opposite George Pickens?
Pickens is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver on this roster, but the depth behind him is filled with question marks after Diontae Johnson was traded to the Panthers in the offseason.
Rookie Roman Wilson is the best option to man the slot, as he played 206 of his 300 snaps in 2023 in that position for Michigan. He had 30 catches for 476 yards from that spot. The depth behind Pickens and Wilson is Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, Calvin Austin III, Marquez Callaway and Denzel Mims.
Jefferson is the most likely candidate to man that spot outside of Pickens given his history playing for Smith in Atlanta, though the Steelers have been widely rumored to be shopping for a more sure-fire option at that spot. A former second-round pick of the Rams in 2020, Jefferson's best season was in the Rams' Super Bowl LVI championship 2021 when he caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Jefferson had four receptions for 23 yards in that Super Bowl.
4. Where do the rookies slot in?
Namely, where does Troy Fautanu play now that the rest of the offensive line in intact? Fautanu took snaps at right tackle in rookie minicamp, which suggests Broderick Jones will move over to his natural left tackle spot while Dan Moore operates as the reserve swing tackle. Zach Frazier is presumed as the starting center, while Payton Wilson will vie for snaps alongside Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts at inside linebacker with Cole Holcomb still recovering from his knee injury.
Mason McCormick played left guard in college, but he took snaps at right guard in rookie minicamp. James Daniels is entering a contract year and McCormick's ability to play both sides should be tested early. Logan Lee and Ryan Watts are depth options at the defensive end and cornerback positions, respectively, but Watts has some potential to move to safety given his size.
5. The effect of Najee Harris' contract situation
The Steelers declined Harris' fifth-year option in early May, which means Harris is entering the final year of his rookie contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Harris' personal trainer, Josh Scott, revealed publicly that Harris cleaned up his diet and dropped around seven pounds this offseason. That motivation from Harris could result in his fourth straight 1,000 yard season. In 2023, Harris had a career-high 4.1 yards per carry on a career-low 255 carries.
Jaylen Warren has continued to break out and the Steelers have one of the NFL's best running back tandems with Harris and Warren healthy. Harris' leadership in the locker room is highly valued, and when he speaks, people listen. It will be interesting to see if Harris speaks about his contract situation in the coming practices.
