The Steelers organization is again the picture of consistency. They finished the year with a 10-7 record and vastly outperformed the team’s expectations. Unfortunately for them and their fans, they seem to be in some perpetual state where they are always in the middle of the pack. They never bottom out, to rebuild, and they are never good enough to truly be Super Bowl contenders.
QB
Many teams employ a two-back offense, but usually, it’s running backs; not quarterbacks. Russell Wilson was supposed to be the opening day starter but an injury gave the ball to Josh Fields. He performed well, starting the first six games and leading the team to a 4-2 record. Even after a win, HC Mike Tomlin made the move to Wilson. After a hot start which validated that decision, the team went on a four-game losing streak to end the season. They limped into the playoffs and fell to their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. In Wilson’s 11 starts, he went 6-5. If we compare the two QBs, there wasn’t much difference. Fields’ QB rating was 93.34 while Wilson’s was 95.61. But in reality, neither man is good enough to lead a team to the promised land.
RB
Pittsburgh is known for their running attack, but that has been lacking. They thought they had their generational RB in Najee Harris, but he has woefully underperformed. He played every game this season but only could muster 1043 yds with six TDs. In a game earlier this year, Troy Aikman spoke of “the 1000 yd RB”, saying that 1000 yds shouldn’t be the measuring stick anymore with a 17-game schedule. The Steelers were supposed to have a tandem attack, with Jaylen Warren, but he was a disappointment too. In 15 games, he could only muster 511 yards and one TD.
WR
If the Steelers rushing attack is mediocre, at best; their passing attack is downright anemic. They ranked 26th this season. The entire passing game is basically just George Pickens. Other than being a deep threat, he just isn’t consistent enough. Last season he managed 1140 receiving yds with an average of 18.1 yds. He caught 63 passes and the hope was that he could get into the 80-100 range. That didn’t happen. He only managed 59 catches this season in 14 games. His average dipped to 15.2, and he only found the endzone three times.
DEFENSE
Like their offense, their defense was just middle of the road this year. Their scoring average wasn’t terrible, giving up a tick over 20 pts per game. But they were outside of the top 10 in both rushing and passing defense. They ranked 23rd in passing defense. They still have TJ Watt to wreak havoc, and a young Joey Porter Jr in their secondary, but overall, they need help on both sides of the ball.
HEAD COACH
Mike Tomlin has been the head coach of the Steelers since 2007. He’s never had a losing season, and he’s a Super Bowl-winning coach. He’s a tremendous motivator and does wonders with this team every season. But the fanbase is getting antsy, and these 10-7 and 9-8 seasons are getting old. He and upper management are going to have to find a way to find a bona fide successor to Ben Roethlisberger. There is talk that Joe Flacco could be the next, long in the tooth, past his prime, QB to come to Pittsburgh. And if that’s the case, Tomlin will most likely again be able to produce another, above .500 season. But that isn’t what the fans are looking for. Unless they either bottom out or trade up, they just aren’t likely going to find the most elusive thing in sports…a generational QB.
