Subscribe
Follow Us
The Pittsburgh Steelers begin a new era in 2022. Longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finally retired after 18 seasons under center for the Black and Gold. Pittsburgh also hired a new GM in Omar Khan, replacing Kevin Colbert after 21 years at the helm.
The Steelers own NFL's longest stretch without a losing season at 18 years. Head coach Mike Tomlin has no losing seasons in his time with Pittsburgh, but 2022 may be his greatest test yet.
Pittsburgh still has great talents on its roster such as TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. However, question marks on offense and a brutal schedule make this season a daunting one for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has its roster mostly set as training camp begins, but still has some surprising trade candidates as well.
*Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Steelers Training Camp Candidates
3. Benny Snell Jr.
Najee Harris established himself as a capable number one back in 2021. The rookie out of Alabama led the Steelers with 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging almost four yards per carry. Harris didn't just lead the team in rushing yards, he was the only player with more than 100.
Pittsburgh drastically underutilized Snell in 2021. The third-year back saw just 36 carries for 98 yards and no touchdowns. He rushed for 794 yards and seven touchdowns across the previous two seasons, so he has potential in the league.
If the Steelers aren't going to use Snell, then they should trade him to a team that will. They probably won't get much more than a mid or late round pick, but that's better than letting him rot on the bench.
Rudolph appeared to be the heir apparent to Roethlisberger when the Steelers drafted him in 2018. He showed promise coming out of college, passing for nearly 5,000 yards and 37 touchdowns in his final season at Oklahoma State.
However, Rudolph never developed the way Pittsburgh imagined he would. He took the starting job for much of the 2019 season after Roethlisberger went down, but was average at best. He finished the season with a 36.2 QBR and lost his starting job at points throughout the year.
Rudolph remained as a backup through the next two seasons. When Roethlisberger decided to hang his cleats up, the Steelers elected to not go with Rudolph as future starter. They signed Mitchell Trubisky in free agency and drafted Kenny Pickett, leaving Rudolph as the third-stringer.
Rudolph carries a $4 million cap hit this season, so the Steelers should look to trade him. Some team in need of a backup quarterback would gladly pay a later pick for Rudolph, and Pittsburgh no longer has a place for him. A trade would be in the best interest of both sides.
1. Ahkello Witherspoon
Witherspoon played well in his first season in Pittsburgh. The former 49ers cornerback made three interceptions and broke up nine passes for the Steelers. His performance isn't what lands him on this list, it's that another Steelers corner can fulfill the same role.
The Steelers signed former Bills corner Levi Wallace this offseason. Witherspoon and Wallace are very similar players, with near-identical interception and breakup totals last season. They're even the same age and carry an identical cap hit of just over $2.5 million.
What sets Wallace apart is that he's a much better tackler. He recorded 58 total tackles last season compared to just 15 by Witherspoon.
There's not much point in having two players occupy the exact same role, so the Steelers should look to trade Witherspoon and save a little bit of valuable cap space and a roster spot.
