The Steelers had a busy week wrapping up OTAs, extending some members of the 2023 draft class and even had a chance to visit Kennywood. Next stop: Training camp in Latrobe. As we gear up for Mike McCarthy’s first season, it’s time to answer some of your questions.(Note: Questions edited lightly for length and clarity.)I think the Steelers will and should head into the season with all three of their highly paid pass-rushers on the roster. I have some faith Patrick Graham will use T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig differently enough to maximize their skill sets, and given that all three players tend to miss time with injuries, playing time issues will probably resolve themselves. If the Steelers do move an edge rusher, everyone assumes it would be Alex Highsmith … but is Watt at all tradable? — Ben C.I completely agree with your initial assessment, especially the part about injuries. Drafting Jack Sawyer felt like a luxury pick until he started against the Lions due to injuries to Watt and Herbig. In the last two years alone, Highsmith has missed 10 games and Herbig has missed seven. Watt had his lung punctured by the medical staff last season and will turn 32 in October. It makes sense to me — especially on a team in a win-now posture behind a 42-year-old QB — to keep all of the outside linebackers this season.However, next offseason is the right time to move one. Highsmith is more likely to be traded because he’d have just one year left on his contract and my sense is the Steelers would like Watt to be a “one helmet” guy. However, I would seriously consider moving Watt next offseason for a haul. If he has a bounce-back season, I don’t think a first-round pick would be out of the question considering what the Browns got for Myles Garrett and what the Ravens were prepared to give up for Maxx Crosby.Given what you’ve seen so far, which coach do you think will have the greatest impact going forward? — Al D.There are many ways to answer this. McCarthy himself is a huge part of this as the offensive play caller. Can he help Aaron Rodgers find the fountain of youth? Patrick Graham inherits the NFL’s highest-paid defense, and I have faith he can get them to play at a higher level. That being said, I’ll say James Campen. By investing so heavily in the offensive line, the Steelers have made Campen one of the most important people in the entire organization. He has a proven track record of producing Pro Bowlers from mid-round picks. At a position with so much youth and talent that needs to be developed, Campen is the right man for the job.What are we going to do with this logjam in the defensive backfield? Does Brandin Echols or even Asante Samuel Jr. (after contract) get traded? Daylen Everette seemed to fare well so far. — Zach B.Last year, the Steelers kept eight defensive backs on the initial 53 and then added Chuck Clark just days later (after they put Will Howard on IR, which was the plan all along). For this exercise, let’s say they keep nine DBs again.The starters in nickel defense are: DeShon Elliott, Jaquan Brisker, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr. and Jamel Dean. Asante Samuel Jr. is the next corner on the depth chart, followed by Daylen Everette (for now). Brandin Echols is the top backup at nickel behind Ramsey and has versatility to play outside, so I think they’ll keep him.
Could T.J. Watt be traded? Which rookie impressed most so far?: Steelers mailbag
Plus, Will Howard vs. Mason Rudolph for QB2, what would constitute success in Mike McCarthy's first season, and more.












