The Pittsburgh Steelers have consistently been written off as a bottom feeder for the 2022 season. There have been few outlets acknowledging the team's talent, believing that there is no chance head coach, Mike Tomlin and his group are going to be competitive. PFF recently ranked Pittsburgh as the 22nd best roster in the NFL. While Tomlin doesn't have the best unit in the league, the organization is coming off a trip to the playoffs a season ago and did not lose too much personnel. In the most recent rankings from PFF, the Steelers were disrespected once again.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin at 2022 training camp at the team's South Side facility. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Sam Monson included the franchise in his "stuck in limbo category," for his 2022 power rankings, noting the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger and how the team's current quarterback situation could hold them back this year. The organization came in at #21 and just missed out on the "eyes on the playoff" group.
"The Steelers have been perennial contenders for the duration of Ben Roethlisberger’s career. Their quarterback since 2004, Big Ben retired this off-season after never finishing a season with a losing record. Now, Pittsburgh needs to sustain that success with a combination of Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett at quarterback. Either player will massively change the offense that had the fastest average time to throw in 2021."
The play from the signal-caller in 2022 will absolutely have an effect on Pittsburgh's ability to win football games, but Tomlin has yet to have a losing season since becoming the man in charge back in 2007. He should demand a little more respect from national media and be ranked in the top half of the NFL power rankings to start each season until he proves otherwise.
There is no doubt that work needs to be done on the offensive line. If the big men up front don't improve, and quickly, there are going to be serious struggles for the offense as the season begins. One would have to think, however, that Tomlin will find a way to win as he always does. If the team found a path to the playoffs in 2021 with similar issues to the line and an older, non-mobile Roethlisberger, it should essentially be easier this season.
Steelers offensive lineman heading to the huddle during the 2021 season | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The Cincinnati Bengals were the highest ranked team in the division at #8 while division foes, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, landed at 10th and 11th, respectively.
Do you think Monson and PFF are right with their last power rankings before the season begins this week? Let us know in the comments below!
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