The 2023 NFL season is going to be a battle for the Pittsburgh Steelers and all other teams within the AFC North. The group could be seen as the toughest division in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens included, as well as a Cleveland Browns team that could be on the cusp of competing for their first ever AFC North Division Title (yes... they've been that bad since the division realignment in 2002). Pittsburgh has a young quarterback in Kenny Pickett and an overall much-improved roster on paper from 2022 that has the chance of surprising a lot of fans and media in 2023.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) winds up to make a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
General Manager, Omar Khan had a heck of a 2023 offseason on paper. The team got better in several areas on both sides of the ball and were not shy of aggression after a disappointing 2022 season that ended without a playoff berth. It will be pivotal to take care of business within the division if the franchise wants to return to the postseason.
As the dry period of the offseason slowly comes to an end with training camp for the Steelers set to begin on July 27th, analysts and fans alike are making predictions with the regular season less than two months away. One individual who has been critical of Pittsburgh in the past has been, for the most part, a huge fan of what the team looks like for 2023.
Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd, is most certainly on the Steelers hype train as the 2023 season approaches. He has said that he expects big changes in the AFC North and that Pittsburgh is at the top of his list to surprise a lot of teams. Head Coach, Mike Tomlin has led the organization to only three playoff wins since 2011, but that could all change in Pickett's second season.
Steelers Head Coach, Mike Tomlin yells emphatically on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason game in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
On Tuesday, Cowherd discussed the Steelers roster with co-host, Jason McIntyre. Compliments were in the air and Cowherd went even further with his Pittsburgh obsession. The team currently possess one of the top five rosters in the entire NFL, according to the analyst.
“I will argue all day, they have a top-five roster in the NFL,” Cowherd said. “I think their roster is loaded except for corner. I like it everywhere. I think their O-line could be an OC problem, not a talent problem.”
It's certainly a fair assumption, especially at the end of his comment. Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada will enter the 2023 campaign on a flaming hot seat that would even make the devil uncomfortable. If the offense doesn't produce much better numbers than 2022, it won't be in lieu of a weak offensive depth chart. Pittsburgh is loaded all over that side of the ball.
After averaging just over 18 points per game in 2022, nothing less than three touchdowns per game should be acceptable to Tomlin or the front office. It'll be interesting to see how much of Canada's playbook opens up in Pickett's second year. If the play-caller wants a new contract for 2024 and beyond, he will have one last shot to prove himself.
Steelers offensive line coach, Pat Meyer (left) and Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada (right) stand on the field at Acrisure Stadium before a 2022 regular season matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Are The 2023 Steelers A Team Of Destiny?
McIntyre echoed Cowherd's sentiment, but isn't fully bought in on the Steelers being the biggest surprise team throughout the league.
"I don't know if I'm ready to call them a team of destiny this year, but they're definitely on a short list. Their problem is the division, man. Ravens, Bengals, Browns.
McIntyre's right. The AFC North is loaded from top to bottom and it might come down to whichever team remains healthiest. If The Steelers defense can stay out of the training room and the offensive approach ramps up from what everyone knows it to be under Canada, the Steelers could absolutely be staring at a surprise division title in 2023.
Do you think Pittsburgh has a top five roster in the entire NFL? Let us know in the comments below!
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