The Pittsburgh Steelers almost squeaked into the NFL postseason riding on their ability to take the ball away and for the rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett, not turning it over. The first-round pick from the University of Pittsburgh threw only one interception as the defense forced seven turnovers to carry Pittsburgh to a 5-1 record down the stretch. If the Steelers are going to be less of a fringe contender and more in the conversation, according to Bill Barnwell of ESPN, they are going to need more development from Pickett in his second season, the ball-hawking ability to continue and for the organization to continue to be smart with their decision making.
Steelers Keys To 2023 Postseason Berth
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett will get a full summer's work with the starting offense as they build toward 2023 / Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh is giving their 25-year-old signal caller full control of the offense and the numbers would suggest as he got more comfortable, he was able to play more efficiently.
“The first-round pick posted a 43.2 QBR during his first seven games, a stretch in which he threw eight picks and averaged just over 6.0 yards per attempt,” Barnwell said in a column on non-playoff teams taking a step next year. “In his final six games, while his completion percentage (59.2 percent) and yards per attempt (6.4) were below average, he turned the ball over just once, putting up a 62.5 QBR."
Ball-Hawking On Defense
The Steelers' defense is tied for the league lead in interceptions with the San Francisco 49ers at 20. Barnwell had some doubts about whether the Steelers could keep up to that standard total, but with the play-makers on this team, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrates after a late-game interception against the Los Angeles Rams on November 10, 2019. (Photo credit: Steelers.com)
“Any secondary with Minkah Fitzpatrick is capable of doing that in a given season. Remember that they picked off 13 a year ago (2021 season).”
The Alabama product who was named on the inaugural Players’ All-Pro Team will be expected to continue his reign of terror on opposing quarterbacks after posting a tied-for-league-high six interceptions, including one for a score. He will be helped by fellow Crimson Tide alum Levi Wallace who doubled his career high and has a certain affinity for picking the ball off. The other key piece of the puzzle is Cameron Sutton, who Barnwell said the team needs to re-sign. The 27-year-old posted career numbers with three picks and 15 pass breakups and is a pending free agent, but has said he would like to be back in Pittsburgh.
Organizational Moves
The Steelers have what looks like a scary situation with it still being $3 million over the projected cap, but with Ben Roethlisberger’s dead money coming off the books and a couple of moves, they could be in the clear to shop around a bit in free agency.
Steelers General Manager, Omar Khan. | Photo Credit: George Gojkovich / Getty Images
“It can clear out more than $24 million by releasing cornerbacks William Jackson and Ahkello Witherspoon and quarterback Mitch Trubisky,” he wrote. “They actually have some financial flexibility if they want to go shopping for more significant help along the offensive line.”
Barnwell also noted general manager, Omar Khan’s savviness using in the trade market when they sent Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears landing the 32nd overall pick in the draft, “A valuable selection for a player who was likely to leave after 2023.”
So, Steeler Nation, with these three keys, do you see a return to playoff contention next year? Where would you spend the money in free agency? Let us know in the comment section below or on our social media feeds.
#SteelerNation
