Making Yinz Meet: Steelers Must Take Strong Step In 2023

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Despite nearly two consecutive decades of excellence, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crossroads, Can they break through?

In what looks like a tough division, the Pittsburgh Steelers look like they need something to break positive in 2023. In what seems like a holding pattern after Ben Roethlisberger, the Sons of Noll feel stagnant. With so much attention placed on division rivalry, Pittsburgh must look inward and clean their own house. The question remains: Are they good enough to grab a playoff spot?

Accuracy Issues

Despite finishing with more interceptions than touchdown passes, the Steelers emerged from 2022, impressed with Kenny Pickett. To his credit, the passer stood tall in the pocket and did not bow to pressure. However, what Pickett must immediately improve is accuracy. Of the thirty-two NFL teams, the Steelers’ quarterbacks, led by Pickett, finished with 72.6 percent of their throws being on target. In contrast, the Los Angeles Rams enjoyed a 75 percent on-target rate, which ranks sixteenth overall. You cannot fault the receivers. Pittsburgh only dropped twenty-three passes, which stood as the fourth fewest in the NFL. Moreover, Pickett and his coaches need to expand the field. Between the 1463 air yards and the conservative 6.2 yards per attempt, the Steelers need to take more chances downfield. Teams will continue to camp underneath. Make them pay vertically.

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Backfield Depth

Without a doubt, Najee Harris is a phenomenal talent. Yet, who else should demand backup touches? First and foremost Jaylen Warren must keep the opportunity to spell Harris, to prevent overuse. Warren isn’t a burner or a brute, However, he does fall forward and keep the chains moving. In the frozen Western Pennsylvanian winter, Pittsburgh loves to batter opponents with twenty-five plus carries. Warren must be a part of that equation.

Tomlin Legacy Questions

Make no mistake, Mike Tomlin is a Hall of Fame coach right now. Yet, at what point does the seat become a little warm. Not hot per say, but warm enough to warrant wholesale changes. That championship-caliber teams teams feel like a distant memory. Some media and fans alike are good with the team treading water around .500. In no world should this ever be appropriate. People look at the Pittsburgh Steelers as a cornerstone NFL franchise that should contend more often than not. When did the Steelers, as an organization forget this point. Meanwhile, the other three AFC North teams desperately build, what are the Steelers doing to stay in the mix?