Training camp is just around the corner for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and after an offseason of massive change, everyone is looking forward to seeing how the new puzzle pieces fit for the team. From new veterans to starry-eyed rookies, all eyes will be on Latrobe once camp opens.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, they already have a massive crisis on their hands.

While the excitement of training camp can be felt across the Pittsburgh sports media, there is still the bleaker issue of what is going to happen with T.J. Watt this year. Still without a contract, things could get ugly if this issue persists into the start of training camp.

Watt hasn’t reported for any team activities, and while a hold-in is certainly feasible (where he attends camp but won’t work out until a new deal is struck), you can’t ignore the odds that he doesn’t show up at all to really make a statement.

If that ends up being the case, it will only cap off the major downside of this tumultuous offseason. And if he were to be traded away, the crisis would only intensify.

For the first time in a long time, the Pittsburgh Steelers are lacking leaders on both sides of the ball

Change isn’t an inherently good or bad thing. While every team goes through some sort of update every offseason, massive overhauls have no clear track history as positive or negative.

In the Steelers’ case, it feels like a team that is desperate to get over the hump. While time will tell what the end results will be, at the bare minimum, you can’t say that they weren’t trying.

READ MORE: Steelers finally have a dynamic chess piece (and it isn’t who you think it is)

However, a downside to all of this newness is that your leadership on both sides of the ball has been significantly hampered. Both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields garnered respect last offseason. While not a natural leader, Najee Harris filled that void while here. James Daniels seemed like the de facto leader of the offensive line.

None of those players are here anymore.

It is arguably worse on defense, having lost core starter and respected leader Minkah Fitzpatrick. While the hope is that Darius Slay can step up and take on some of that role, he is still a brand-new face at the end of the day.

While the Steelers were aggressive in bringing in new faces, none of them scream leader. Slay has the most ability in that regard, and Aaron Rodgers will naturally have to lead as the quarterback, but the remainder of the notable new faces are lacking there.

Jonnu Smith has never been asked to be in that role as an experienced journeyman. Jalen Ramsey and D.K. Metcalf, meanwhile, have more diva-esque tendencies as opposed to leadership traits.

If Watt continues his holdout or is traded, you are suddenly looking at Cameron Heyward and not much else as established guys. While Patrick Queen, Pat Freiermuth, and even Jaylen Warren could fill those shoes, we won’t know that until they actually take on those roles.

The Watt situation alone isn’t a great look, but it only intensifies the greater issue at hand. The Steelers don’t have a lot of leaders on their team. That can be a costly issue for a team hoping to compete this season.