Final Weekend Before Camp: Steelers Friday Night Five Questions

Happy Friday and I hope yinz are doing well.

Welcome back to the Friday Five. This is the final weekend before training camp kicks off, players reporting Wednesday and the first practice Thursday, meaning we’re so close to starting the season back up full speed ahead. We’re putting a bow on rankings, lists, and offseason thoughts before we can get back into actual and meaningful football. The biggest news of the week was the Steelers’ four-year extension with OLB Alex Highsmith. Now, all that’s left is inking second-round pick CB Joey Porter Jr., which should happen ahead of camp.

Hope you all have a great weekend and that you enjoy our continued coverage. I thank you for visiting the site and we appreciate all of your great feedback. As always, we have five Friday night questions for you to answer.

Peace and love, peace and love!

1 – What is the No. 1 training camp battle you’re watching for this summer? Form it between two players: ‘X versus X.’ 

2 – Who is your top training camp sleeper? 

3 – How many players will be part of the 53-man roster ahead of Week One who are not currently on the Steelers’ roster? 

4 – Should the Steelers allow non-traditional positions to wear single-digit jerseys? 

5 – Will CB Joey Porter Jr. sign his rookie contract before Wednesday (the day players report), on Wednesday, or after Wednesday? 

Recap of 2023 Two Weeks Until Camp Weekend Friday Night 5 Questions

Question 1: Cam Heyward has been a mainstay on the Steelers for 12 seasons. Last season he played 75 percent of the defensive snaps (801) in the games he played. He tacked on another 27 percent of special team snaps (120). Right now, he is under contract through the 2024 season. The median response of Depot respondents predict Heyward will play three more seasons for the Steelers. That would take him through the 2025 season when he will be 36 years old. As the saying goes, Father Time is undefeated. But Cam Heyward is giving him a battle.

Question 2: 10 of 18 respondents predicted Alex Highsmith signing an extension at some point after training camp started. But Omar Khan struck again. Highsmith signed a four-year deal worth up to $68 million on Wednesday. Six folks pegged it with two others predicting that the Steelers and Highsmith would not reach a deal at all.

Question 3: Jack Lambert was feared more in his era, according to 10 respondents, while seven said James Harrison more feared. Impressive the number of respondents who remember Lambert playing. The Steelers fan base does have longevity. Both could shut your lights out.

Question 4: 13 of 18 folks said T.J. Watt would NOT make the top 10 of the NFL’s Top 100 list in 2023. Last August the NFL ranked Watt number six. But then he got injured in Week One, missing a big chunk of the season. I think it will be better if the NFL lowballs his ranking. Just more incentive for T.J. to prove them wrong.

Question 5: While most see Darnell Washington as an upgrade, respondents believe he will be worked into the lineup. So, 11 of 18 voters said Zach Gentry would play more snaps in Week One.

Here are the consensus responses of Steelers Depot respondents compared to the correct answers:

 As promised, here are the folks with the most points during the offseason. Just an informal ranking since many questions subjective. Added two questions this week for scoring. But Highsmith’s extension knocks two questions off (last week and Memorial Day weekend)

 Seventeen questions from previous weeks yet to be answered:

 Scores will be adjusted as they are determined up until week one of the regular season.