The silly season. It’s the time of year that all football fans have to unfortunately endure. With Deflate-gate still constantly grabbing headlines, football fans are clamoring for actual football-related news. Imagine that, right? Fortunately for fans, training camp is right around the corner which means it’s time to round up the biggest rumors heading into training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers. An organization that usually prides itself on staying out of the headlines finds itself in an unusual position for this time of year. The defense, and one of the largest parts of the coaching staff, remains in flux. Change is not something usually associated with the Steelers, which makes this training camp all the more intriguing.

5. Senquez Golson Competing for a Starting Position

There are few better ways to get your name on the map than having the leagues best receiver over the last two seasons notice you. This has been the case with rookie corner Senquez Golson. Recently, Antonio Brown was quoted as being impressed with Golson’s work in mini camps and his work ethic. In a secondary that seems to be wide open in competition after three porous seasons, Golson has a very good chance of earning significant snaps this season as a rookie, something that has been historically unusual under Mike Tomlin’s tutelage.

4. Bud Dupree Taking First Team Snaps Points to Significant Playing Time

Bud Dupree is another rookie that has expectations coming into this season. After the Steelers selected him in the first round, the third straight year in which they had selected a linebacker with their first pick, Dupree was expected to be relegated to a rotational role in his rookie season. Much like Golson, Dupree has seen significant playing time and has earned starting reps with the first team defense in mini camp. It’s important to note this is over veteran outside linebacker Arthur Moats, and suggests that Dupree may be used more than a third down pass rush specialist as previously mentioned. The training camp battle between Moats and Dupree is an interesting one to keep an eye on.

3. Landry Jones Continues to Struggle While Tajh Boyd Earns Possible Leg Up

The criticism of now third-year quarterback Landry Jones has been harsh since 2013. A pick that baffled many at the time, Jones hasn’t developed into the possible trade chip that was likely planned by the front office at the time of the selection. Once thought to be a possible Matt Cassel-type draft pick, Jones has had documented accuracy and pocket awareness issues that have plagued him through camp and in the limited preseason action he has had to this point. This could be why the front office took a flier on Tajh Boyd, the former Jets sixth round selection. The addition of Boyd is an interesting one as he brings more to the immediate table than Jones would as the Steelers play bigger, more agile quarterbacks in the 2015 season. Boyd brings with him the potential to emulate in practice. It could also be argued that the former Clemson product has more upside and a higher ceiling than Jones. Rarely does the third string quarterback spot bring intrigue into training camp, but this is exactly the case this season.

2. Mike Tomlin Open to Embrace Youth Movement, Possible Rookie Starters

In addition to the first two selections of the 2015 NFL draft seeing significant snaps this season, Tomlin has evidently embraced the idea of a youth movement on defense. Albeit arguably a few seasons late, this is a necessary change for the Steelers defense. If taken at his word, this could mean significant playing time for players such as Doran Grant and Daniel McCullers. This, on top of likely-starter Shamarko Thomas at strong safety, replacing the retired Troy Polamalu. If there is one thing this defense cannot be accused of any longer, it is being old and slow.

1. Martavis Bryant Looks Exceptional, Poised for Break Out Season

By all accounts, second year receiver Martavis Bryant has looked exceptional thus far in mini camps. Bryant exploded onto the scene midway through the season in 2014 after being sat for the first six weeks of the season. Aside from Odell Beckham Jr., there may not have been a better rookie receiver in the league than Bryant when given the opportunity to play. If Bryant is able to continue to build off of his rookie season, the Steelers may have the best wide receiver duo in football. If mini camps are any indication, Bryant seems poised to have an exceptional training camp and even better season in 2015.

Connor Isted is a Beat Reporter for www.RantSports.com covering the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Follow him on Twitter @cdisted.