Many expected the Pittsburgh Steelers to be well outside of the playoffs at the end of 2022 after the organization selected Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to replace outgoing franchise cornerstone quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The team's struggles in the first half of the season with Mitch Trubisky under center until halftime in Week 4 and playing without TJ Watt were well documented.
The team's second-half surge got them in a position to potentially grab a booking in the postseason before Miami Dolphins kicker, Jason Sanders hit the go-ahead field goal with :18 seconds left to help his team secure an 11-6 victory over the Joe Flacco-led New York Jets and crushing the last hopes of Steeler Nation for playoff football in Pickett's first year.
Rich Eisen of NFL Network said on Wednesday that he sees Pittsburgh as one of the top non-playoff teams for next year. Due to the youth on the roster, the longtime league analyst sees immense potential for the young team going into 2023.
Rich Eisen believes in Mike Tomlin's ability to take a step forward with a young team in 2023. Credit: The Rich Eisen Show | YouTube
"I like the Steelers next year," he said. "Mike Tomlin told us in our meetings that sometimes the kids you're coaching up have to step in it to know that it stinks. They went from 2-6 to 9-8 and he still doesn't have a losing record in a season."
Eisen continued in his staunch defense of the veteran head coach and highlighted the exceeding of expectations this year as a reason why fans of the black and gold need to stick by the only coach the team has had since 2007:
"Steeler fans, I know you've been retorting to me when I said that anybody who thinks that Mike Tomlin should be having his time up in Pittsburgh is dumb, I might've chosen a better word, but you're still dumb," he said backing up his earlier claims. "Sometimes circumstances require a coach to take you to a certain spot and this year the certain spot was to take a young team that needed to learn how to win."
Steelers Weapons For 2023
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) and wide receiver, George Pickens (#14) embrace in warm ups before a 2022 regular season matchup against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The longtime league analyst agreed with Tomlin that the team has found an answer at starting quarterback with "a guy who has got it" in Kenny Pickett going forward and also highlighted the connection between the 24-year-old signal-caller and fellow first-year wide receiver, George Pickens as a reason for optimism in the future:
Kenny Pickett had a 97.6 QBR when targeting George Pickens this season.
That is the best QBR by any QB targeting any WR this season with a minimum of 50 attempts ? pic.twitter.com/IRUTwd62Dj
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) January 13, 2023
He also highlighted by name, Najee Harris as a piece he likes on the roster. The second-year back struggled early in the year, but a strong second half landed him a franchise first two 1,000-yard rushing seasons to start a career. While Eisen didn't mention anyone by name, he pointed out they do have play-makers on the defensive side of the ball with all of Watt, 2022 AP All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Heyward set to return to a unit that really started to click after the bye week.
The organization still has some big decisions to make when it comes to the salary cap room they will have available, but with another solid draft class aided by three picks in the top 50, the team should be in a better position next year to not have to depend on outside help for a playoff position.
So, Steeler Nation, do you agree with Eisen that Pittsburgh is a team to buy stock in for next year? Let us know in the comments or on our social media feeds.
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