We are all aware that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the mode of transition currently with a new face set to be under center in 2022. The Steelers will have a quarterback competition brewing when training camp gets underway on July 26th in Latrobe between first round selection, Kenny Pickett and a veteran free agent signee looking to be the author of an incredible comeback story, Mitch Trubisky.
The word is out that this competition is going to start with Trubisky at the helm and the team will go from there!
PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 24: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) takes part in a drill during the team's OTA practice, Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Steelers have a lot of intriguing young talent on the offense with guys like Pickett, RB Najee Harris, TE Pat Freiermuth, WRs Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, and 2022 draftees George Pickens and Calvin Austin III.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Steelers are a little older, but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) TJ Watt is still only 27 and has only been in the league five years thus far. Superstar FS Minkah Fitzpatrick just struck his first big payday after his rookie contract and is only 25 going into his fifth season this year. The oldest members of the defense are Tyson Alualu at 35 and the never slowing down DL Cam Heyward is 33 years old.
So Where Does that Leave the Steelers in the next three years?
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 17: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Diontae Johnson #18 celebrate Harris' touchdown during the second quarter Seahawks at Heinz Field on October 17, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
In a recent article released by ESPN, writers and analysts Jeremy Fowler, Field Yates, Louis Riddick, and Seth Walder all contributed with projecting teams' foreseeable future success over the course of the next three seasons.
The group ranked the Steelers middle of the pack at 14th overall in these NFL Future Power Rankings using the following scale:
- 100: A+ (Elite)
- 90: A (Great)
- 80: B (Very good)
- 70: C (Average)
- 60: D (Very bad)
- 50 and below: F (Disastrous)
The Steelers received an overall grade of 80.8, deeming them with a grade of B (Very good).
"Why they're here: "When you have Mike Tomlin as your head coach, you are always going to receive the benefit of the doubt," Yates stated in his portion of the article. "The Steelers steer one of the steadiest ships, and Tomlin's leadership is among the most critical aspects of the operation. Two notable retirements took place this offseason for Pittsburgh that will impact how this team fares going forward: long-time standout GM Kevin Colbert and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Be it Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett, the transition at quarterback will decide just how far this team can go in the next three seasons."
We know that it's going to start with Trubisky, but will the team eventually transition to Pickett? Probably so, you don't draft a quarterback in the first round without the intentions of him eventually getting a chance to become the franchise quarterback.
"Biggest worry: It's all about offensive coordinator Matt Canada and his ability to design, teach, develop, refine and evolve his offensive system and take advantage of the skills of his new QB room," Riddick stated in the article. "Too often in 2021 it appeared as though he didn't maximize what he was working with from a personnel perspective. The Steelers need to get that corrected going forward."
Canada will seemingly have the correct personnel to run the offense that he wants starting in this upcoming season, so this season should be a tell-all for his ability to be an NFL play-caller.
"This offensive line still needs work," Fowler stated matter-of-factly in the article. "The Steelers addressed it this offseason by signing free agents James Daniels and Mason Cole. But the Big Ben-led Steelers were last great with high draft picks David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert protecting Roethlisberger. Most of the Steelers' highest earners are on defense, so they are due to spend more on the other side."
Pittsburgh Steelers center, Mason Cole (left), and guard James Daniels (right), participate in phase two of the voluntary off-season workout program, Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
We have to have some patience with the offensive line, the Steelers made some moves that were obvious upgrades to positions up front from a season ago, but will it be enough? Only time will tell.
What do yinz think about the Steelers being ranked 14th in ESPN's NFL Future Power Rankings? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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