WR Diontae Johnson passes 5 under microscope for Steelers as training camp nears

When compiling a list of proverbial Pittsburgh Steelers in the hot seat, it’s hard to ignore the 39-year-old quarterback who returns for an 18th season after facing a drop in productivity in the end. from 2020.

Ben Roethlisberger was covered in our first training camp preview episode, so we’ll omit him for redundancy as we take a look at five players whose play in 2021 will be critical to the Steelers’ success – or lack thereof. .

Training camp opens Thursday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex before moving to Heinz Field on July 28.

1. Diontae Johnson

With four players able to start as wide receiver, it’s imperative for Johnson to overcome the drops that were such a problem in his second season in the NFL. Otherwise, he might see a decrease in his number of snaps.

Johnson led the Steelers with 923 receiving yards and had 88 receptions on a high of 144 targets. Without the drops, Johnson might have hit 100 catches and 1,000 yards.

Johnson had between 10 and 16 drops in 2020, according to the stats department. Regardless of the total, that was enough to lead the league, and it resulted in a brief December bench at Buffalo.

Johnson bought a tennis ball launcher during the offseason so he could work on his concentration and hand-eye coordination. If the declines diminish this year, it was a prudent investment.

2. Joe Haden

It’s not like Haden’s game waned in his fourth season with the Steelers. In fact, he was her generally reliable self. He started 14 games, intercepted two assists and provided stable coverage at the cornerback.

Haden, however, is 32 and entering his 12th season in the NFL. He can only get past Father Time for much longer, no matter how hard he trains in the offseason.

The Steelers would like to get a more productive season from Haden, who is entering the final year of his contract and has $ 15.575 million against the salary cap. Needing to free up some space during the offseason, the Steelers kept Haden on young Steve Nelson. It will be up to Haden to show that they made the right financial decision.

3. Boy turner

With David DeCastro in need of ankle surgery that could end his career after nine seasons, the Steelers quickly moved on to their backup plan for 2021.

A day after DeCastro’s exit – the deal took place the day after the minicamp ended – the Steelers signed a one-year contract with veteran Trai Turner. Turner brings seven years of NFL experience to the franchise, and he’s made the Pro Bowl in five straight years with the Carolina Panthers.

But Turner was slowed down by injuries in his only season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and he hasn’t had the benefit of using off-season training sessions to build chemistry with his teammates. As the line undergoes a transformation, the Steelers need Turner to exert constant influence on the inside.

4. Devin Bush

Forget all the social media posts that Bush used to create so much chatter during the summer break. The Steelers only care about him regaining the speed and sparkle that made him a touchdown tackle in the first 21 games of his NFL career.

Bush is nine months away from ACL surgery, and the Steelers will allow the third-year inside linebacker to take his time before returning to action. Robert Spillane and Vince Williams will share snaps at the other linebacker spot – at least that’s the plan if Bush comes back to health as planned. The Steelers don’t need a repeat of last year when injuries took their toll on the midfield.

5. Terrell Edmunds

When the Steelers didn’t exercise the fifth-year option for Edmunds, that meant the fourth-year safety would play for a contract this season.

Edmunds has reached career highs with two interceptions and eight pass breakouts in 2020, but his production is eclipsed playing in the same high school as All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick, another member of the 2018 draft class.

The Steelers just didn’t see Edmunds worth a $ 6.75 million salary in 2022. The snub could be used as motivation. If Edmunds makes the kind of leap forward the Steelers have come to expect over the past two seasons, he can set himself up for a handsome paycheck in free agency. Otherwise, the Steelers will have made a good decision. Either way, it looks like this will be his last year in the organization.