NFL.com recently released their end of season 2021 NFL power rankings on Tuesday. These rankings are a reflection of where they predict teams will stack up as they head into the 2021-2022 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers landed 10th on the list which put them third in the AFC North behind their division rivals Cleveland Browns (9th) and Baltimore Ravens (5th).
The 2020 season was one of extreme highs and lows as the Steelers started the season 11-0 after having huge question marks coming into the season. Franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was coming off major reconstructive surgery 0n his throwing elbow and many doubted he would ever return to vintage Roethlisberger form. However, Roethlisberger was playing at an MVP level through November and the Steelers were looking at a first-round bye and home field advantage through the playoffs. Then, the dreaded December collapse ensued resulting in a first-round exit to the Browns at home in the AFC Wild Card Round. The Steelers ended up winning the AFC North and finishing 12-4, but ultimately did not reach their aspirations of a seventh Lombardy Trophy.
With the Steelers going 1-6 down the stretch and even more question marks heading into the 2021-2022 season, I think 10th on the list seems about right. Do I think the Browns are better than the Steelers heading into the offseason? Absolutely not, but they did beat the Steelers at home in the playoffs, so I can respect the rationalization behind it.
Much uncertainty in Pittsburgh revolves around the bevy of players set to hit the free agent market this offseason including starters JuJu Smith-Schuster, Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton, Alejandro Villanueva, James Conner, Matt Feiler and many other rotational players that are huge contributors for the Steelers. Tough decisions will be made in the coming months regarding who will stay and who will walk. New faces will be brought in to replace players that likely played their way out of Pittsburgh as well.
The Steelers also have a glaring problem: a 39-year-old quarterback set to make 41 million dollars in 2021. Team president Art Rooney II has already stated that Roethlisberger will have to take a significant pay cut in order to return in 2021 and Roethlisberger has publicly acknowledged and accepted that fate.
This offseason will be very telling on what the Steelers front office prioritizes. Will they attempt to revamp the team and look to build towards the future, or let Roethlisberger have one more attempt at a third Lombardy trophy? Decisions will be made soon and all of Steeler Nation will be watching with wide eyes.
The full list of the end of season NFL power rankings can be found here: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-buccaneers-reign-over-chiefs-where-do-saints-steelers-go-from
#SteelerNation
