Steelers: State of the Franchise

The 2023 NFL season is getting closer, and teams are looking to grasp the Lombardi trophy by February 11th. Some squads are favorites, some are far away, and some are closer than others think. One team going into the 2023 season that looks like the real deal but has zero attention is the young-blood team, the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Only seven players are in their 30s going into the season, so many young guys are looking to make their impact on the league and leave their mark. But everyone should have the same goal. The Steelers want their seventh ring badly, and with the team, they’re building, they are on the right track, but is it the right train? Let’s go over the team the Steelers are building!

Steelers fans rejoice as their new GM, Omar Khan, has been more aggressive in the offseason than the former GM, Kevin Colbert—a lot more signings than in the days of yesteryear. The signing of Patrick Peterson, Nate Herbig, Allen Robinson, Keanu Neal, and more! Not only that, an elite draft class makes the fans even more excited!

The Steelers added names like Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr, Darnell Washington, and more from the draft. Broderick Jones was an excellent lineman in Georgia and will help protect the young QB in Kenny Pickett. Joey Porter Jr is a good corner and will help the struggling secondary. And Darnell Washington will only improve the offense with his freakish talent. The “Khan Artist” is making moves!

Along with the offseason, the Steelers still retain a talented roster. QB Kenny Pickett is at the helm with a rough running back named Najee Harris in the backfield. The receivers are just as gifted with the excellent route runner in Diontae Johnson and the unreal hands of George Pickens. Along with an improved offensive line, the Steelers’ offense is looking to explode on the scene! Now the defense, with T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, and more, is looking to keep offensive coordinators awake at night!

OLB T.J. Watt

Steelers OLB T.J. Watt (90) – Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The coaching staff, however, may be the Steelers’ downfall! There’s no question Mike Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the league, but the coordinators he has raises more questions than answers. The obvious one is Matt Canada, who remains with the Steelers despite not having the best season in 2022. The core he has compared to 2022 leaves him with no excuses to fail in 2023.

The constant changes in QB in 2022 may have held the offense down from its full potential, but now, with Pickett being the prime QB and the team looking set and ready, Canada has no excuse to struggle in 2023. Pickett and Canada looked like they were cooking something special in the late part of the season, so can the duo keep the magic going in 2023?

Now, on the defensive side of things with defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. The defense had a few ups and downs with the performance. Led the league in interceptions but ninth overall in the least rushing yards allowed, led the league in the least rushing TDs allowed but top ten in average yards per play allowed, top five in the least passing touchdowns allowed but the bottom half of in yards allowed by passing—excellent but inconsistent defense. But with improvements to the secondary and defensive line, can the Steelers D prove defense wins championships?

Fans should expect improvement in the 2023 season for their team. Nine to eleven wins would fit the squad the front office is rounding up. Their first playoff win since 2017, too? But a Lombardi trophy may be pushing it. The Steelers have a talented team, but the AFC possesses powerhouses like the Chiefs, Bengals, and Bills and even rising stars like the Jaguars, Jets, and Chargers. But the Steelers can still make more moves to make them better. Their Super Bowl window may open up in a year or two if they continue to build the squad they have now. Can the Steelers find their way to “Seven Heaven” soon?

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