Steelers Window Is Now; Go All In For Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't seemed this vulnerable in many years. Probably not since the 1980s when they were at their worst since the 1960s. But it could be a quick fix this off-season. Let me tell you why.

Last season the Steelers took the first steps in their mini-rebuild -- which wouldn't of ever had to happen if it wasn't for a pandemic that shrunk the salary cap by $30 million. Depth took a back seat, and putting players in uniforms was the most important thing for General Manager Kevin Colbert. Rashaad Coward, and Joe Haeg were a few of the key depth pieces that the Steelers signed last year. That's basically all you need to know about their salary cap situation.

Now the 2021 NFL Draft was the first step the Steelers took in the right direction.

While some will argue that taking Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth instead of linemen doomed their 2021 season, it was the right move for the future. Truthfully it probably did doom their 2021 season, but one last ditch effort for Ben Roethlisberger was the route they decided to go, and I'm okay with that.

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Regardless of what happened last year, the fact of the matter is that the Steelers now have a featured running back for the first time since 2017. That's important because they're going to need to rely on their running game regardless of what quarterback they end up bringing in because being two-dimensional has always been a successful road for the Steelers, and it's time to get back on it.

Freiermuth factors into both of those situations. He's a willing blocker, and he's a more athletic version of Heath Miller. Hands like Miller, and the ability to get separation and get down the field quickly. It's a deadly combination and should fill a hole that was gapping since Miller retired.

Now if you go out and get Aaron Rodgers, he can jump right into an offense with weapons. Diontae Johnson is coming off a stellar year in an offense that was as far from dynamic as you can get. He hauled in over 100 receptions for 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns. It's likely that JuJu Smith-Schuster will be headed out of town, but that will provide an opportunity for Chase Claypool to show that he's matured heading into his third season. The talent, size, and attitude is there for Claypool. He just needs to channel it all together in a positive way. Insert a mid-round draft choice, and Rodgers is set with a vast majority of weapons at every position.

Now, now, I can hear you complaining about the offensive line. Let's get to that.

You fill it in the 2022 NFL Draft. There is a variety of ways the Steelers could go in the draft. Center, guard, tackle are all on the table. If you get a center with your first pick (in the second if you trade your first for Rodgers), you can move Kendrick Green to guard. That is his natural position. If you get a shot at the best guard in the draft, you can plug him in with Kevin Dotson at either guard position and that will be a big upgrade over Trai Turner. More support from the guards should in turn help out Green at center. It's likely that Dan Moore Jr. will stay at left tackle, but a right tackle could also be the way the Steelers go with their first choice. Any way you slice it, you come back with the next best available lineman in the next round. Solidify that front for Rodgers. Oh, and add some much needed depth in free agency.

The Steelers have nearly $45 million in salary cap room this season. Next season they'll have $100 million plus! That gives them tons of options when it comes to contracts. Never have they had the options they have now. And the cap is only going to keep going up for the foreseeable future.

Now you have a formidable front, weapons, and Rodgers. The offense is back, and if everyone stays healthy, you have a Super Bowl caliber offense.

With Rodgers, you know what else you're not doing? You're not wasting Cameron Heyward's final chapter. Not to mention you have the best defensive player in the NFL in TJ Watt. Oh, and let's not forget Minkah Fitzpatrick. That's an All-Pro at every level of your defense.

Heyward isn't getting any younger, and even though he's playing perhaps the best football of his career, he needs help from his offense. He, and Watt scored the only first half points for the Steelers in the playoffs this season. We won't re-live that nightmare anymore, you get the point. If you spend four years trying to find a quarterback you're wasting these guys. And in four years you'll have to replace them, or at least give them more of a supporting cast.

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We've already lived that chapter. It happened when Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, Deshea Townsend, Brett Kiesel, Bryant McFadden, Casey Hampton, and Ryan Clark retired. The Steelers spent multiple years with a prime Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, David DeCastro, and Maurkice Pouncey. They made it to one AFC Championship game. Heyward was here during that time too, but he wasn't the player he developed into the past 3-4 years. Drafting Jarvis Jones, Artie Burns, Sean Davis, and Ryan Shazier's tragic injury cost the Steelers. A team that's always home grown with draft picks, and up against the cap can't overcome those missed draft picks, and the loss of potentially the best middle linebacker in the NFL.

The difference is that now they have cap room. It's imperative that they use it to re-load, and fill the offensive holes, and add a piece or two on defense. Rodgers gives the Steelers the quarterback to fight in the AFC. Even if it's only for a short span, he keeps that window alive and allows them more time. Who knows what will happen in three years, but who would've ever thought Rodgers could be in Pittsburgh three years ago?

Would yinz want to see the Steelers go get Rodgers? Click to comment below!

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