The Pittsburgh Steelers are an AFC team and CBS has the rights to the AFC package. Pittsburgh should consider making a Notre Dame type deal at this point with Fox or Amazon based on the level of coverage that CBSSports.com is giving to the Steelers.
The website released 100 things to know with 100 days Until Kickoff about the NFL by Cody Benjamin and they chose to mention the Pittsburgh Steelers once.
Now with 32 NFL teams, I am aware the Steelers may not merit multiple mentions like the Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs might. But I do take issues with the Cleveland Browns meriting five mentions, the Cincinnati Bengals with four, and the Baltimore Ravens having three.
The lone Steelers mention:
"The Steelers, who have never had a losing season under Mike Tomlin, are entering the year without Ben Roethlisberger at QB for the first time since 2003. His immediate successor could be first-round pick Kenny Pickett, from -- where else -- Pittsburgh.’
It is frustrating that the only mention of the Steelers doesn’t even factor in the news from OTA’s that Mitch Trubisky seems to have the inside track for the starting job. I hate to nitpick Benjamin and his judgment in regards to key NFL storylines for the upcoming season, but I am going to.
Here are my top three storylines for the Steelers (aside from the quarterback battle that could have been included):
1) Can TJ Watt outdo TJ Watt?
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) celebrates near the 50-yard line at Heinz Field. | Photo via Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Can TJ Watt break the NFL sack record if he plays a full 17 games for the Steelers in 2022 and repeat as Defensive Player of the Year? Seemingly lost in the 2021 aftermath for the national media is that Watt tied the sack record in 14 and a half games last season. He was unblockable when healthy and he is entering his prime, which should be a scary thought for NFL defenses.
2) Najee Harris' Sophomore Season
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) finds some running room against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field in 2021. | Photo via Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Will Najee Harris breakout behind an improved offensive line? Harris has been getting some pushback from analysts, specifically Pro Football Focus who called him the worst first round pick of 2020. He finished top four in NFL rushing yards and scored 10 TD's as a rookie. He is likely to be an even bigger part of a 2021 playoff teams’ offense heading into the 2022 season -- figuratively, and literally.
3) Mike Tomlin vs. the Las Vegas Oddsmakers
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin takes a walk along the sidelines in preparation to face the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo before the Week 1 season opener in 2021. | Photo via Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
Will Mike Tomlin defy the odds in Las Vegas and manage at least 9 wins to continue his streak of winning seasons in Pittsburgh? The Steelers have had 15 consecutive non-losing seasons under Tomlin. The over/under for Steelers wins is 7.5, which reminds me of something I forgot to do. Wink, wink!
Nope, Mr. Benjamin thought that three topics regarding the Jacksonville Jaguars were more interesting than covering something the biggest and best fanbase in the NFL would find interesting. The Steelers are often at their best flying under the radar and CBS, who will be broadcasting the majority of their games, seem determined to make sure that is where they are going to be starting the 2022 NFL season.
The Steelers are not only a historically significant franchise, but they possess a frenzied fanbase that gobbles up content about their favorite NFL subject. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of compelling storylines for the post-Roethlisberger/Kevin Colbert eras and should be able to penetrate the narratives that are dominating the media.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are the Steelers only worthy of one outdated bullet point in a list of their network's top 100 things to watch? Please comment below or follow me on Twitter @thebubbasq.
