Steelers Young 1st Team Offense Comes Of Age And Complete A Perfect Preseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers' first-team offense will punt at some point in 2023. The Steelers faced an aging Super Bowl-winning defense in the Tampa Bay Buccanneers and scored. One of the best defenses in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills had a shot at Kenny Pickett and his seemingly limitless supply of weapons and they scored twice. On Thursday night, the Atlanta Falcons trotted out their second-team defense, and saying it was like a hot knife through butter is an understatement.

It isn’t supposed to be this easy, but Steeler Nation should remember it is just the preseason before we book Super Bowl tickets. One of the best defenses in the NFL is coming to Acrisure Stadium two weeks from Sunday. The San Francisco 49ers might be at full strength if Nick Bosa ends his holdout in time to join his teammates in Pittsburgh.

It is hard not to get caught up in the hyperbole. The Steelers starting offense has touched the ball five times this preseason. They scored 35 points, which is perfection if you're counting, and we are. Pickett has found the incomparable George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth through the air for two scores. The second-year signal-caller finished the preseason 13-15 for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Pickett is throwing the ball downfield, and even the most fervent doubters of his ability should have been given pause when he uncorked a deep sideline throw to George Pickens that set up the Steelers' first score against the Atlanta Falcons. Pickens makes the sublime seem routine. His ability to snag balls by contorting his body into impossible positions will make Pickett an upper-echelon quarterback in 2023.

The passing game has been impressive, but Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin designed this team to play power football. The Steelers' first-team offense has three touchdowns on the ground in addition to the perfect passing by Pickett. Say that three times fast. Jaylen Warren ripped off a 62-yard run against the Bills' first-team defense. Najee Harris and Warren punched the ball in twice for the Steelers on Thursday night in Atlanta with what should be an AFC alarming ease. 

The first-team offensive line has been phenomenal, protecting Pickett and opening holes for Harris and Warren. Dan Moore Jr. has been a revelation at left tackle and has managed to hold off first-round pick Broderick Jones. Jones has not played badly in relief. It is a testament to just how well Moore has played to hold his position. Isaac Seumalo has quietly demonstrated the left side of the Steelers' line is now the strongest part of the unit. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers, According To ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Were Set Up To Succeed In 2023 

Preseason stats don't count, but they can't be completely ignored. Brooke Pryor from ESPN and Kyle Brandt from Good Morning Football have been touting how good the Steelers are going to be in 2023 for most of the preseason. The national media is not completely on board with predicting a Steelers renaissance, but even Colin Cowherd has to admit that the offensive line and quarterback questions have been answered resoundingly in the first three preseason games. 

The Steelers offense is still under the radar, but when Pickett matches up with Brock Purdy on Sunday, September 10th, they have a chance to announce their presence with authority. It will be a definitive opportunity for Pickett to remind the rest of the NFL why he was the first quarterback drafted in 2022 and not the last. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Can you remember the last time you were this excited for a Steelers team? Let me know what you think. Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.

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