Heading into the 2022 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot of questions around the performance of the offensive line. They spent a lot of money on the unit, but a lot of questions remained as there was absolutely no draft capital spent towards the position group.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' starting offensive line group to begin the 2022 NFL regular season. | Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As three weeks have passed in the 2022 season, the Steelers aren't where they hoped they would be. They are currently sitting at 1-2 and coming off back-to-back losses, including one to the division rival Cleveland Browns. A large amount of the blame for their struggles to get some more wins early this season can be put on the shoulders of the offense. However, that doesn't mean it is because of the offensive line.
What was considered arguably the biggest weakness of the Steelers' entire roster before the season started is now turning into one of their strengths.
After their Week 3 performance, Pro Football Focus moved them up a total of seven spots in their offensive line rankings they released on Wednesday morning. That jump lands them at 21st overall, a big difference from their previous spot at 28th overall.
Steelers' Offensive Line Making Necessary Improvements Week By Week
Throughout Weeks 1-3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, and the Browns, the Steelers have increased their yards-per-attempt on the ground each week. The Steelers started with a below average performance in Week 1 against the Bengals with a YPA of 3.7. That number gets even worse if you limit the numbers to strictly Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, as those two combined for a YPA of a lowly 2.3. Obviously, that is not the formula for a winning team.
However, over the next two weeks, the offensive line continued to perform better. Against the Patriots, the Steelers' YPA was up to 4.1, even though that number was still only 3.3 for the team's running backs. It was even better against the Browns this past Thursday night, as the team collectively ran for 4.7 yards on each attempt, with the running backs combining for 4.5 on theirs! All of these performances on the ground are very positive signs that the Steelers' offensive line is headed in the right direction.
On the season, PFF has the Steelers' five starting offensive linemen with a run blocking grade above 50, and all but second-year left tackle, Dan Moore Jr. above 60. Now, I'm not jumping for joy just yet as they still have room to improve, but all five starters being able to contribute on the ground throughout the game is a big plus.
Yes, the improvement in the run blocking is nice to see, but the improvement they made in pass protection is easily the biggest improvement any position group has made from year to year.
Pittsburgh Steelers' off-season free agent addition, James Daniels (#78). | Steelers.com
In 2021, the Steelers had the shortest snap to throw time, with Ben Roethlisberger releasing the football in 2.38s on average according to Next Gen Stats. This season, Mitch Trubisky is releasing the ball in 2.71s on average, and that mark falls closer to the average. That means the offensive line is being given a more difficult task by being asked to protect longer, and they are doing just that.
Trubisky is on pace to be sacked just 28 times this season after being sacked only five times through the first three games. Last season, Roethlisberger was sacked a total of 38 times. Those marks alone are a pretty significant improvement. Pair that with the fact that Trubisky is holding the ball significantly longer, and that really makes the improvement the Steelers' offensive line has made impressive.
These stats are backed up by PFF as well. All of the Steelers' starting five offensive linemen have a pass blocking grade of 72 or higher, which puts them all in the top half of all offensive linemen at their position. James Daniels is actually the top rated offensive guard in pass protection this season.
There is very little denying that the Steelers had to make significant changes on the offensive line in 2022, and while some members of Steeler Nation were hoping they'd do even more, the changes they have made are clearly working. Now, people are starting to notice this as well.
Do you think the Steelers' offensive line has improved enough to be considered a quality unit? Let us know below in the comments!
#SteelerNation
