The Pittsburgh Steelers have had more than a few issues in 2022. They lost T.J. Watt at the end of an impressive Week 1 victory for an extended period of the season. The Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky with the intention of him playing a significant number of games and creating a natural transition to Kenny Pickett, but that plan lasted exactly three and a half games. Matt Canada has been a source of constant frustration and Mike Tomlin has come under fire for supporting him. It has all contributed to a 4-7 record heading into Week 13 at Atlanta.
Aug 12, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive guard Kevin Dotson (69) and offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) walk off the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The one issue that has not actually reared its head after a terrible 2021 season is the offensive line play. Since the regular season began, the unit has been surprisingly effective in pass protection with a few notable exceptions and since the bye week, the Steelers have been able to run the ball against very good defenses. Pundits who do not observe the team closely still blame the offensive line for the team’s woes, but during the Monday Night Football game against the Indianapolis Colts, they finally got some credit.
“You know, this is a group that gets a bad rap,” Troy Aikman said during the Monday Night Football broadcast. “They have played pretty well recently.”
Pittsburgh Steelers center, Mason Cole (left), and guard James Daniels (right), participate in phase two of the voluntary off-season workout program, Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers brought in two key free agents in the interior of the offensive line and James Daniels and Mason Cole have been effective. Daniels has not given up a sack according to Pro Football Focus and has anchored the improved line. Cole has also been a steady presence in the middle of a solid, if not spectacular performance by the group in 2022. Dan Moore Jr. has had significant issues at left tackle, and Kevin Dotson is not the long-term answer at guard, but the group as a whole is better.
The Steelers offensive line are ranked 23rd overall as a unit, but they are eighth in the NFL in pass protection according to the controversial player grading site started by Cris Collinsworth. The Pro Bowl will not be calling any names from this group, but they are the key to the Steelers resurgence since the bye week. Pittsburgh still incredibly has an outside shot to make the playoffs by running the table and the offensive line play is an underrated piece of that puzzle. While the media will focus on Pickett’s development and Watt’s health, the Steelers will only go as far as this position group allows them to go.
No additional help is coming in 2022 and they have to make do with the personnel they have, but unlike 2021, the group is getting better as the season goes along. The Steelers will need to address the offensive line in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft and thanks to the trade of Chase Claypool, they will have the flexibility to do just that. The Steelers have not used a first-round draft pick on an offensive lineman since David DeCastro over a decade ago and that has to change in 2023.
Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (Twitter: JSKO Photo)
Pickett and a group of exciting young playmakers may be on the verge of being special and a premium Pro Bowl level anchor on the offensive line could be the final piece of the puzzle for the black and gold to take advantage of the Super Bowl window that a rookie quarterback can provide. Pittsburgh’s offense still has Canada sized problem, but like most of Tomlin’s tenure as a head coach, the talent is ascending and may be able to overcome less than stellar schemes and coaching.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you surprised how well the offensive line has played in 2022? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
