There is another team in the NFL that bears a shocking resemblance to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Steeler Nation still has plenty to learn about the 2022-2023 team, there is one comparison that can be made: the Steelers are like the Carolina Panthers – now even more so with the Panthers acquisition of Baker Mayfield.
Let's dive into it:
Comparison #1 - Mitch Trubisky and Baker Mayfield
Both Mayfield and Trubisky were two of the most advertised prospects in their respective draft classes, and subsequently, they were the first quarterbacks selected. Trubisky was the second overall selection in 2017 and Mayfield was the first overall selection in 2018.
After several years in the NFL, both Mayfield and Trubisky found themselves in situations where it was time to move on from their respective teams (Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns). It took very little time for the Steelers to pick up Trubisky on a team-friendly contract. And folllowing reports in March of Mayfield reportedly wanting out of Cleveland, the Browns and the Panthers struck a deal this week that sent a fifth-round pick to the Browns in exchange for Mayfield.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Mitch Trubisky (#10), participates in Phase Two of the voluntary off-season workout program, Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA. | Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Am I saying that Mayfield and Trubisky are the same? No, at least not in reference to their talent. When it comes to contracts, the two are very similar. The Panthers are only paying $5 million for Mayfield this upcoming season while the Steelers are paying Trubisky around $7 million. It seems as if both the Steelers and the Panthers are modeling the buy-low model.
Let's take a look at the offensive roster for each team:
Steelers Offense
QB – Mitch Trubisky / Kenny Pickett
RB – Najee Harris
WR – Diontae Johnson
WR – Chase Claypool
WR – George Pickens
TE – Pat Freiermuth
FB – Derek Watt
LT – Dan Moore Jr.
LG – Kevin Dotson
C – Mason Cole
RG – James Daniels
RT – Chukwuma Okorafor
Panthers Offense
QB – Baker Mayfield / Sam Darnold
RB – Christian McCaffrey
WR – DJ Moore
WR – Robbie Anderson
WR – Terrace Marshall Jr.
TE – Tommy Tremble
FB - Giovanni Ricci
LT - Ikem Ekwonu
LG - Pat Elflein
C - Bradley Bozeman
RG - Austin Corbett
RT - Taylor Moton
Comparison #2 - Youth on Offense
Looking at the two teams’ rosters, both the Panthers and the Steelers are relatively young compared to the league average of 26 years old. The average age for the Panthers roster is 25.8 and the average age for the Steelers roster is 25.2. Both teams have two similar running backs at similar ages: Najee Harris (24) and Christian McCaffrey (26), who are bursting at the seams with talent and potential. Both teams have a wide receiver group who are young and explosive, and both teams have promising, youthful tight ends who were selected in the second and third rounds.
Steelers Running Back Najee Harris evading defenders during the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos game on October 10, 2021. AP Photo / Keith Srakocic AP Photo / Keith Srakocic
Comparison #3 - Defense
While last year was statistically one of the worst defensive seasons for the Steelers, all signs are pointing to a return as one of the top defenses in the league in 2022.
The Panthers defense is already there. Led by Yetur Gross-Matos, Jaycee Horn and Shaq Thompson, the unit only allowed 5,201 total yards to opposing offenses, good enough for second in the entire league, per Pro Football Reference.
On the flip side of that coin, the Steelers allowed 6,139 yards to opposing defenses – the ninth-worst in the league. However, off-season acquisitions that include Myles Jack and Larry Ogunjobi to go alongside household names of T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward can most certainly catapult them into the top 10 to go right along with the Panthers defense.
Last year, the Panthers finished last in the NFC South at 5-12 and the Steelers finished second in the AFC North at 9-7-1. Numerous experts are down on the black and gold this year following Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, but with the solid, young foundation on offense, coupled with the league’s highest-paid defense, don’t be surprised if they're back in the playoffs. The Steelers and the Panthers play later this year on December 18th in Charlotte, NC.
Do you think the Steelers resemble another NFL franchise? Let us know in the comments, below!
#SteelerNation
