Rebuilding franchises from the ground up is not something the Pittsburgh Steelers are too familiar with, mainly because they never had to do so under the former franchise Quarterback and icon Ben Roethlisberger. Once Big Ben started to head out the NFL doors, so did the Steelers roster around him too. After an elbow injury during the 2019 regular season during Week 2 versus the Seattle Seahawks, Steelers fans alike started to get a taste of what the future would look like.
Mike Tomlin at Acrisure Stadium vs. Baltimore Ravens / Photo Credit - Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Since then, the Steelers watched the quarterback's declining performance over the span of three consecutive seasons and mismanagement of salary cap space and draft picks setting them back even more, also resulting in an offensive line and defense sputtering when it needed them most (2020 & 2021 playoffs).
As we all know, Pittsburgh was extra loyal to Roethlisberger and his contract. Wonder why they couldn't reload sooner than later at the most important positions instead (especially drafting a successor behind Roethlisberger). Loyalty is great when executed correctly, but in this case, the Steelers held onto it for a little too long.
Since 2019, the opponent's PPG has increased for three straight seasons (19.5, 23.4, 22.5), and since 2020 the Steeler's PPG has plummeted two seasons in a row (20.2, 17.6). When it comes to drafting, the last four draft classes in defensive prospects have been not panning out in hopes of elevating this defense (Devin Bush, Justin Layne, Buddy Johnson, etc), but not forgetting to mention that they haven't selected a defensive player in the first round since 2019 (Devin Bush).
Devin Bush and Myles Jack - Photo Credit: 247 Sports
They had the chance in drafting a franchise quarterback sooner rather than later during the 2020 and 2021 NFL Drafts (Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields and Mac Jones). As for the offensive line, Pittsburgh hasn't drafted it in the first round since 2012 (David DeCastro). All in all, this team had plenty of opportunities to address looming catastrophes, yet never did in time as they should've thrown the rookie starter under center already with a great offensive line and defense in place.
While Roethlisberger did put up solid numbers in 2020, his drop-off was rather significant, to say the least. A 38-year-old quarterback coming off of a career-altering arm surgery only has so much longevity left in him. This should've been the time to pounce on a new franchise successor to Roethlisberger, but wasn't. It is mind-boggling to realize that no first or second-round picks have even been used on offensive linemen in a decade. The signs of decline within the trenches were starting to come to life, as the Steelers endured a season collapse and a horrific Wild Card loss to the Cleveland Browns in 2021.
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger gets ready for the Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Fast forwarding to the current season, Pittsburgh yet again neglected the offensive and defensive lines, therefore resulting in both being, statistically speaking, one of the worst-rated respectively. Besides Cameron Heyward, James Daniels and Mason Cole there hasn't been much to like about the trenchcoat weaponry down low. Albeit the Steelers choosing not to fulfill the quarterback position much earlier, they now have their guy of the future in Pitt prodigy, Kenny Pickett.
A man in the pocket can only do so much if the rest of his team greatly lacks talent, skill, philosophical execution and ability. If this franchise wants to maximize Pickett's potential, they must exploit his rookie contract's low salary cap hit right now through greater investments around and in front of him (OL, WR3, DL, LB, DB, etc). Great teams take full advantage of this, and it's easy to see why they're the best right now (the Chiefs, Bills, Bengals, Eagles, Dolphins, Ravens and Chargers).
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) makes a pass in Wednesday's practice for the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
As for the man in charge, Mike Tomlin also must do what's best for this team, and that is constructing a better playbook for Pickett on offense that will not only suit his skill set but as well as curate a more innovative set of plays, packages and formations that will move this offense forward and not backward. On top of all this, there must be reinforcements made to his coaching staff.
Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin aren't cutting the bill, and the results clearly have reflected this over the last three seasons. Great coordinators aren't easy to come by, but they're far more of a complication when bad ones are allowed to stick around longer than they should be. This falls entirely on Tomlin because the team will only go as far as the coaching will allow them.
Regardless of what happens in the remainder of the 2022 season, Pittsburgh undoubtedly is looking forward to next year with the eager ambition to right the wrong that has been extremely self-inflicted. It will all start with the early draft process and team contract decisions in January. The Steeler way is classic, but it could certainly be revised to accommodate a modern game so evolved and dynamic as compared to what was the Steelers' glory days a while back. Changes must be made, zeroing in on the biggest needs on and off the field personnel-wise if this Steelers franchise aims to reach new heights again in the embattled AFC.
Digressing, the dominos to fall next dressed in black and gold will be most interesting to watch unfold in 2023. Drop your analysis and commentary regarding the roster and coaching staff in the comment section below. Here We Go Steelers!
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