LATROBE – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin released his initial depth chart of the 2024 season Tuesday in preparation for the team's preseason opener against the Houston Texans Friday, and it contained few surprises.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, who saw his first real action on Tuesday in 11-on-11 drills after sitting out the first two weeks of training camp practices here at Saint Vincent College with a calf issue, is listed atop the team's depth chart at quarterback. Justin Fields, who took the first-team snaps while Wilson was out, is second, while veteran Kyle Allen is listed third ahead of undrafted rookie John Rhys Plumlee.
Tomlin has said throughout the offseason at Wilson, a nine-time Pro Bowl player, has "pole position" as the Steelers' starting quarterback. Wilson was acquired in free agency, while the Steelers obtained Fields via trade with the Chicago Bears.
The only rookie currently listed as a starter isn't any of the team's draft picks. Instead, rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop, undrafted out of West Virginia, currently holds the spot as the Steelers' nickel corner ahead of veterans Grayland Arnold and Cameron Sutton.
Sutton, signed by the team in June following his release by Detroit, is suspended by the NFL for the first eight games of the 2024 season for violation of the league's personal conduct policy.
First-round draft pick Troy Fautanu is listed as the backup to Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle, while second-round selection Zach Frazier is behind veteran Nate Herbig at center.
Roman Wilson, who remains out with an ankle injury, is listed at wide receiver behind Calvin Austin in the team's three-wide receiver depth chart, with veterans Van Jefferson and George Pickens having the other two starting spots. Wilson was the first of the Steelers' two third-round picks in this year's NFL Draft.
Linebacker Payton Wilson, the team's second third-round selection, is behind Patrick Queen at inside linebacker. Queen, a second-team All-Pro last season in Baltimore, was signed in free agency this season.
Fourth-round pick Mason McCormick is on the second-team line at right guard behind James Daniels, while sixth-round picks Logan Lee and Ryan Watts are listed at third team at defensive end and strong safety, respectively.
Linebacker Tyler Matakevich, signed in mid-July, is listed next to Wilson at inside linebacker behind veteran Elandon Roberts.
Former All-Pro return man Cordarrelle Patterson, one of the team's other free agent signings, is listed as the No. 1 kick returner and as the third-string running back. Patterson opened training camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury List and has yet to practice.
On the defensive line, second-year pro Keeanu Benton takes over at nose tackle ahead of Montravius Adams next to Cam Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi. Benton, a second-round pick in 2023, began last season behind Adams.
In the defensive backfield, newcomers DeShon Elliott and Donte Jackson are listed as the starters at strong safety and left cornerback.
