Pittsburgh Steelers: Off-Season Preview
The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been in the mix when it comes to the playoffs. However they haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 2011. This off-season could help propel them back to the Super Bowl and try get that seventh title that they have been looking for.
2016 Review
Coming into the season, the Steelers were expected to challenge for the playoffs. They did that. But it has to be said that the season didn’t start as planned. The turning point came in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns which propelled the Steelers to a nine-game win streak. Before Week 11, the Steelers were 4-5. Part of the issues with the Steelers and this start to season can be traced to not having Le’Veon Bell for the first three games, and Ben Roethlisberger being injured with a torn meniscus in Week six against the Miami Dolphins.
Between Weeks 6 and 10, the Steelers lost all four games, although it has to be said the game in Week 10 against the Cowboys was a battle going down to the final moments of the game. As stated above, the turning point came in Week 11 as everything seemed to change for the Steelers. The offensive line came into action, putting it up there with one of the best offensive lines in the NFL (3rd According to PFF). This helped pave the way for Bell who carved up the league and even with Ben being injured part of the season, Antonio Brown was still able to have a total of 1,284 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season. Big Ben didn’t have his best season though and whilst he wasn’t terrible, he didn’t perform like we are used to seeing him. Underwhelming seems to be the correct word to use here.
When looking at the 2016 season, some credit has to be given to the Steelers defense, which had struggled in previous years. The Steelers defense still needs plenty of work but it did improve. Much of this can come down to the additions of Artie Burns, Sean Davis (NFL.com’s All-Rookie team) and Javon Hargrave. All three players played an important role on the defense and helped improve it from 21st in 2015 to 12th in 2016 in terms of net total yards allowed.
Plenty of positives can be taken away from the season, but there are also plenty of areas that need to be evaluated and looked at in order to make sure the Steelers keep challenging for the playoffs.
Off-Season Moves Already Made
Many have called for coaching changes to be made, but it appears that so far nothing will change with the Steelers, leaving the current coaching staff to remain intact.
In terms of players, the Steelers haven’t done too much. The primary moves have seen Steven Johnson re-signed, Justin Gilbert released, and free agent TE Ryan Malleck signing. Multiple players have been signed on future contracts. The most important future contract is AJ Hughes, purely because punters are people too!
Notable Free Agents
A number of Steelers players are becoming free agents this off-season. The main focus is on Le’Veon Bell.
I would say it is widely expected that Bell is going to stay with Steelers. If he doesn’t agree a new deal, he’ll be franchised tagged for sure. Time will tell if the two parties can come to a long-time arrangement.
Other Steelers free agents of note include Lawrence Timmons, Jarvis Jones, DeAngelo Williams, James Harrison, Cody Wallace, Markus Wheaton and Landry Jones.
Lawrence Timmons is being reported to be testing the market but might also be able to work out a contract with the Steelers.
It is expected that Jarvis Jones and Cody Wallace won’t be re-signed whilst DeAngelo Williams looks set to leave too.
James Harrison doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. It would be hard to imagine Harrison being anywhere else apart from the Steelers. His agent stated that he wants a two-year contract.
The case of Wheaton is interesting. He will most likely have a low value market in free agency which may give the Steelers a chance to sign him cheaply. However with the receiver corps having issues, I can definitely see Wheaton not being signed and the Steelers looking elsewhere for wide receivers.
I would guess that Landry Jones will be re-signed and remain the Steelers backup QB.
Top Three Team Needs
Edge Rusher – Going into the 2017 season, the Steelers only have two outside linebackers under contact. They are Bud Dupree and Arthur Moats although it seems that other outside linebackers such as Anthony Chickillo and James Harrison will remain on the Steelers. Dupree would be the obvious starter, with Moats and Chickillo being there for depth. Harrison doesn’t show any signs of slowing down at the age of 38, but it’s clear that the Steelers need to add to this area and have that threat. Rather than dipping into free agency, I feel that the Steelers will address this need in the draft.
Tight End – With the unfortunate injuries that have occurred to Ladarius Green, it has put the position of tight end as an area that needs looking at for the Steelers. Jesse James isn’t really a tight end that stretches the field and is more of a blocker. With this being the case, the Steelers seriously need to look at a tight end in the draft that is going to provide the threat that they have been missing at the position
Inside Linebacker – Going back to defense, the Steelers will need to address the ILB position. It is not fully guaranteed that Lawrence Timmons will re-sign with the Steelers, and as an aging player, it is definitely a position that needs looking at. The Steelers do have Vince Williams and Tyler Matakevich at ILB, but similar to the edge rush, this won’t be enough going forward. Especially in the case that Lawrence Timmons doesn’t re-sign, the Steelers will need to address this area in free agency or the draft.