The Pittsburgh Steelers are slowly becoming one of the NFL's most talked about teams going into the 2023 season. This is something Steelers fans might not be used to. Usually the Steelers are barely talked about, and if they are the topic of discussion, it's typically not something good. However, this offseason, many popular personalities in NFL media have been suggesting the Steelers will outperform everyone's expectations. The newest media member to air out their positive opinions is NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.
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Daniel Jeremiah on the mic doing an interview.
Jeremiah joined Rich Eisen on The Rich Eisen Show recently and discussed the different team's training camps he has been to this summer. After discussing the Indianapolis Colts and what expectations he has for them this year, Jeremiah moved on to the Steelers. He focused on the health of the defense and the pass-rushing duo of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. He then explained why they are so important for the team's success.
"I think it's going to be one of the most improved teams in the league. The formula for winning in the NFL is great quarterback play and a great pass rush. You get TJ Watt back healthy. Alex Highsmith and him getting to play together all year long. The numbers speak for themselves when TJ Watt is on the field."
It is no doubt that the Steelers defense missed having Watt on the field in 2022. He was not fully healthy at all once he returned from his torn pectoral injury, and it showed. Although he only played in 10 games, he was still able to put together 5.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 39 tackles, and a forced fumble. Showing that even when he is not at full health, he can still be a dynamic player on the field. Even though Highsmith had an emergence during the 2022 season and made up for Watt being injured by having 14.5 sacks and leading the league in forced fumbles with 5, the Steelers still struggled. They missed Watt as they were 1-6 without him playing during the 2022 campaign.
Steelers.com
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, TJ Watt.
The Improvements Of The Steelers Offense
The Steelers had an uncharacteristically active offseason in 2023. Outside of last offseason, it was the most active the front office has been in free agency in quite some time, and a lot of it was to improve the offensive line. Whether it was providing depth for the offensive line by signing a guy like Nate Herbig, signing a bona fide starter in Isaac Seumalo, or using the draft to possibly get a franchise left-tackle in Broderick Jones, the group has improved drastically and Jeremiah agrees.
"They've made so many improvements along the offensive line, it looks like a completely different group. Pickett gets a chance to get all the reps, which he didn't get last year at this time. Pickett, when you watch him, everything that Joe Burrow does well are also strengths for Kenny."
In addition to the offensive line, the guy they are protecting has also taken many steps forward during the 2023 offseason. Pickett has constantly been praised for his leadership by the coaching staff, as well as his poise on his game-winning drives during the end of the 2022 season. The comparison to Joe Burrow is a huge compliment for the second-year quarterback, although Pickett still has ways to go until he is on Burrow's level.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5123-544x306.jpg "Steelers' QB Kenny Pickett at training camp in 2023")
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Steelers QB Kenny Pickett at training camp in 2023.
Jeremiah went on to discuss the strength of the AFC North, but how he expects the Steelers to be able to compete with every other team in the division. Many NFL insiders have shared that they expect the Steelers and Cleveland Browns to be fighting for third place in the division, however Jeremiah thinks otherwise.
"I saw somebody on TV the other day debating if they were gonna be the fourth team in the division. I think they can win this division, forget finishing in last place."
Winning the AFC North will be an uphill battle. The Cincinnati Bengals are the clear favorites to three-peat as division champions, with the Baltimore Ravens being their biggest competition. However, since the 2020 season, the Steelers are 5-1 against the Ravens including a win last season that came on a last-minute game-winning touchdown pass from Pickett to keep the team's playoff hopes alive. The Steelers also split the season series with the Bengals last year. Winning in Week 1 and then having a shootout with the Bengals in Week 11 that Pittsburgh lost 37-30.
The Steelers have always been able to compete against the good teams in the AFC North, and if they can take care of the "easier" games on their schedule, there is no doubt they will have an opportunity to win the division in 2023.
What do you think of Jeremiah's comments on the Steelers, Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below or talk to me about it on Twitter X!
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