It's been over four years since the Steelers traded their 2022 pick to select Isaiahh Loudermilk in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Following an All-Conference season with Wisconsin, the Steelers saw potential in Loudermilk, whose size and length piqued their interest enough to trade for him. Four years later, Loudermilk has only 26 career games and five career starts.
With veteran and mentor Cameron Heyward suffering a significant groin injury in their Week 1 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers last season, Loudermilk experienced a minor increase in defensive snaps, giving him the opportunity to prove himself worthy of a larger workload. Instead, then-rookie Keeanu Benton developed as a promising star, leaving Loudermilk as an afterthought.
Since joining the organization, the Steelers have improved their defensive line with the signing of Larry Ogunjobi in 2022, as well as promising prospects like Benton and, most recently, Logan Lee in this year's draft.
As he heads into the contract year of his rookie deal, Loudermilk is fully aware that this year's training camp could be his last chance to prove himself worthy of an extension with the team. There is no question that the sense of urgency to perform at a high level this year is real.
“It is a contract year, but at the same time, I feel like I have challenged myself this offseason just to mentally regroup," Loudermilk said. "Physically, I have felt it the last couple years, but mentally it’s more about believing that I belong here – just being able to go out and play fast, I think having a couple years under my belt has definitely helped with that."
Loudermilk is no longer new to the NFL game. It is now up to him to fulfill his potential on the field and become an important member of the Steelers' defensive unit.
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