Pittsburgh Steelers fans everywhere are hanging on the edge of their seat, biting their fingernails and pouring sweat waiting to see what their beloved team does during the 2023 season. The excitement is definitely intensified by the fact that the team underwent a substantial improvement in all three phases of the game in 2022.
Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff/ Getty Images
Steelers' new guard Isaac Seumalo is proof of assistant GM Andy Weidl's influence on free agency.
The Steelers had major hurdles to overcome in 2022. They had two new quarterbacks, an injured running back an offensive line that had never played a single snap of football together until then, and that's just on the offense. Despite starting the season out 2-6, they returned from the bye week looking like a new team and finished the season out at 7-2.
While they fell short of making the playoffs almost everyone agreed that there was a lot to be optimistic about. However, that does not stop fans from pondering who the boom-and-bust players might be. Now two Steelers insiders are saying that the offense has some incredible components.
Steelers' Offense Has All The Necessary Parts
Former Steelers guard Ramon Foster now hosts a podcast called The Ramon Foster Show. The show airs on DK Pittsburgh Sports, and is co-hosted by long-time Steelers reporter Dejan Kovacevic. On a recent episode, the topic of the offense came up and Kovacevic commented that he's seen a lot of great things on the field at the OTAs.
Kovacevic notes that he cannot reveal information about specific plays, but he can speak about some general observations. He first noted that he talked with new guard Isaac Seumalo on Wednesday and was impressed by him. He shared with Kovacevic that he went back and watched all the 2022 games, not just to learn the plays or offensive schemes, but to learn about his teammates.
Seumalo is quickly becoming "that guy" on the team, someone who is stepping into a desperately needed leadership role. This isn't common for someone who is just coming onto a team, even as a vet. Kovacevic says he will be the "tone setter" and will be someone who holds his teammates accountable, which according to Foster is critical.
"He has been a veteran on Super Bowl-winning teams. He's been in a locker room where he was a young guy growing to the older guy in the group."
Kovacevic voices his agreement and said that from his perspective, it seems that Seumalo is accepting and even embracing that role.
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Steelers' Darnell Washington during rookie minicamp.
There were more positive signs. Kovacevic said he spoke with both Darnell Washington and Calvin Austin III. He was impressed by their positivity and athletic prowess. He asked Washington about how diverse the offense can be and he felt that they have all the necessary components.
"You got speed, you got physicality, you got great ball skills, like George [Pickens], whatever you name, we got it."
According to Kovacevic, when he mentioned they have speed, he pointed at Austin. He said he asked Austin the same question and when he said speed, he pointed at Washington.
Foster feels that it is a really good sign that Austin is recovering well from his injury since Washington named him specifically regarding speed. He also feels that this group has the potential to be as good as the offense during some of his tenure with the team.
"You're getting answers to what guys are putting out there, you just gotta listen a little bit. I'm fascinated for him to say something like, 'We got speed,' about Calvin [Austin]. I think that was really a little nugget that was given."
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Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Calvin Austin III
Foster also shared that he has got a knowledgeable, insider opinion on Kenny Pickett and his progress heading into year two.
"He has a big arm, under pressure, his teammates love him. He may be just a little less talented than some, but has the ability to make plays. He's a team-first guy. He's the type of person who attracts guys to him, makes guys want to sell out of them."
He said that he knows they won't, but everyone should stop measuring him against Ben Roethlisberger, they are just different players.
"Don't expect him to be Ben, he's going to go about winning a totally different way."
While it is great to have all of these amazing players, it is critical to have a coach help pull them all together. Foster said that the brunt of the work is going to fall to the coaches to "coach these guys up."
"The coaches more than anything are going to be put to the test. I think more than the players are this year."
The stories of the respect players have for Head Coach Mike Tomlin are very common. We don't always hear stories about assistant coaches. According to Kovacevic, offensive line coach Pat Meyer has an excellent rapport with the players. He said that after practice, there were two linemen just following Meyer down the hall to lunch. Foster agreed this isn't common. Usually, players will stay with players, even if they like the coach.
Photo Credit: Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin (right) and offensive coordinator, Matt Canada (left) laugh with one another at a practice during training camp.
It is early days, but it really does sound like we have all the ingredients laid out on the table - we just need Matt Canada and the rest of the coaching staff to pull them all together.
What do you think about the offense? How do you think they will perform in 2023? Click to comment below.
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