Offense will face more questions than usual when Steelers open training camp

For a team that won its first 11 games and returned to the top of the AFC North after a two-year absence, the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter training camp facing more issues than candidates at a political debate.

That tends to happen to an organization when it loses four of its final five regular-season games, then gets bounced 48-37 by the underdog Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round, marking the franchise’s third consecutive playoff defeat dating to the 2016 postseason.

When the Steelers open camp Thursday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, they will turn the page on an offseason that included two high-profile retirements, a change of offensive coordinators, two starters having their contracts terminated (with one returning), several key free-agent defections and the surprising release of an All-Pro guard.

Here are few items worth watching throughout July and August:

1Does Ben Roethlisberger have anything left?

The Steelers believe so, although they did make their 39-year-old quarterback take a $5 million pay cut before bringing him back for his 18th season.

Roethlisberger’s play down the stretch provided reason for concern. He threw six of his 10 interceptions in his final six starts, and he was picked off four more times in the wild-card loss. The emphasis on an uber-short passing game held back an offense that scored 24 or more points just once in the final six weeks after reaching that mark in each of the first 10 games.

Matt Canada’s offense will require Roethlisberger to take more snaps under center and, gasp, use the occasional play-action pass. Roethlisberger said he is on board with the changes, which will begin playing out in the preseason.

2Can Najee Harris help save the NFL’s worst-ranked running game?

Team president Art Rooney II made it clear in January the Steelers can’t finish last in rushing again.

The Steelers made no attempt to bring back oft-injured James Conner for a fifth season, preferring to start fresh with a dynamic, young runner. That led to the selection of Harris with the No. 24 overall pick.

Harris was the first running back selected in the draft, and it didn’t take long for him to show off his skills in OTAs and minicamp. He is just one part of the equation, though, as he will be running behind a rebuilt offensive line and in a scheme that is expected to include more zone-blocking techniques.

3How will the offensive line respond to all of the offseason turnover?

Changes began even before Maurkice Pouncey’s retirement in February. The Steelers replaced offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett with his assistant, Adrian Klemm. More turnover came in March when Matt Feiler left in free agency, and the Steelers didn’t attempt to keep Alejandro Villanueva from signing with Baltimore in May. The final dagger came in June when David DeCastro was released.

The Steelers quickly added veteran Trai Turner to replace DeCastro, but the rest of the line consists of unknown quantities. Zach Banner won the starting right tackle job last year but was lost for the season in the opener. Chuks Okorafor will play left tackle for the first time in his pro career, and left guard Kevin Dotson will be asked to start full time in his second season.

Training camp and the preseason will determine the starter at center as rookie third-rounder Kendrick Green tries to beat out B.J. Finney and J.C. Hassenauer.

4Can Alex Highsmith adequately replace Bud Dupree at outside linebacker?

Highsmith was thrust into a starting role in December when Dupree was lost to a season-ending ACL tear. Highsmith had just one sack down the stretch and two for his rookie season.

The Steelers drafted Highsmith knowing he would step in for Dupree, who had 19.5 sacks over his final two seasons. It wasn’t until his fifth season that Dupree hit his stride as a pass rusher, and the Steelers are banking on Highsmith developing quicker. The sooner that happens the fewer double teams that T.J. Watt will face.

The Steelers also need to find depth behind their two starters. Journeyman Cassius Marsh and rookie Quincy Roche are the top two candidates entering camp.

5Is Cam Sutton ready to be a full-time starter at outside cornerback?

After bringing back Sutton on a two-year contract, the Steelers cut ties with Steve Nelson, the outside corner opposite Joe Haden the past two seasons. Sutton will get a chance to start outside, although he could return to his more familiar position inside in certain subpackages.

The Steelers like the versatility that Sutton brings, and his return potentially softens the loss of slot corner Mike Hilton to free agency. Sutton, though, can only play one position at a time, and if it’s on the outside, the Steelers need to find someone else to take Hilton’s snaps.