Happy 4th of July weekend to all fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team is set to start a new era without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback following his retirement, but many playmakers still remain and will be key to the team exceeding expectations in 2022.
While the offense barely averaged 20 points a game in 2021 and the defense allowed the most rushing yards per game in the NFL, both units still have guys who could be among the the best at their positions throughout the upcoming season.
When I think of fireworks, both explosive and potential game winning actions come into mind. Dozens of players will have big moments this year, but these are the Steelers who are going to be consistent and relentless in their efforts to help the team win each week.
1.) TJ Watt
Big surprise here. There is one player on the Steelers that is without a doubt able to make a difference on any given play that he is on the field. Watt is coming off a Defensive Player of the Year Award and will continue to be a nuisance for opposing offenses in 2022. The fireworks that Watt will create in 2022 and beyond will be talked about for years and the edge rusher has a serious chance to repeat the winning of his prestigious award.
Watt was recently ranked the best edge defender in the NFL by CBS and he deserves that recognition. He had five forced fumbles in 2021 and is going to continue to be the most important player on the Steelers.
2.) Najee Harris
Harris is going to be a special player for years to come. He comes off of a rookie year totaling over 400 touches along with 1,200 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns. He has incredible potential to create big plays and is a weapon both in the rushing and passing attack. The Steelers running back should break out several big runs of 20 yards or more and be even better in his sophomore season.
The most impactful part of Harris' game throughout the season will be on the ground, but where he might win the Steelers a couple of games could be catching passes out of the backfield. During his rookie season, Harris had 74 catches on 94 targets. He ended up with 467 yards receiving with three touchdowns. Using him in quick screens and as an outlet on third downs would be a dangerous and lethal weapon.
3.) Chris Boswell
Fireworks typically mean celebrating and that is something that Boswell has gifted the Steelers with for three years. The veteran kicker has been an unsung hero for the team the last three seasons. He is 84/91 kicking field goals since 2019 which is good for a 92.3% success rate. The offense isn't going to blow anyone out in 2022 which is why Boswell's leg could be critical to beating opponents.
After a rough 2018 season, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers stuck with Boswell and it is a very good thing that they held onto their trust in him. The front office needs to make a move to extend the former Pro Bowl kicker and lock him into a contract that keeps him in Pittsburgh long-term. There will be many games that Boswell is looked at as the difference maker for the Steelers starting in a couple months.
Which Steelers players do you think are going to spark the most fireworks in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!
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