The Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for the organization's defensive prowess since the 1970s. Currently, the team has the highest-paid defense in the NFL, despite a 2-5 record. T.J. Watt's pectoral injury certainly plays a part in the unfortunate start, but the front office and Omar Khan, who recently was named General Manager, need to understand where the league is in terms of strategy and offensive fire power.
Defense can lead you to the playoffs, but can't bring home a Lombardi Trophy in 2022. No one expects the franchise to win a record-breaking seventh Super Bowl within the next six months, but the tradition of the team could potentially hurt the future.
Steelers owner, Art Rooney II roams the sidelines prior to a 2022 preseason game at Acrisure Stadium / Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The AFC is seemingly dominated by the Buffalo Bills and Kanas City Chiefs in 2022. Pittsburgh lost to the Chiefs twice a year ago and suffered an embarrassing 38-3 loss to Buffalo just a few weeks ago. Both teams have strong defenses, especially Buffalo, but no other team in the AFC seems to have a chance at making it to the Super Bowl this season. It will be hard to build on the defense and be competitive in the coming years without an aggressive and playmaking offense.
Matt Canada's group is averaging less than 16 points per game and the franchise holds the highest-paid defense with a record of 2-5. Sure, the absence of Watt has changed things and hurt the success of the team, but his presence wouldn't make them a Super Bowl contender. Pittsburgh hasn't had a losing season since before Ben Roethlisberger was drafted and while the early years of his career saw dominant defenses, the ineffective play-calling in his last couple of years prohibited success.
The weapons could be there potentially with wide receivers Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool and George Pickens. Add tight end Pat Freiermuth, and running back Najee Harris all being led by Kenny Pickett and there is hope for the future. This isn't the same league as it was back in 2004 and some serious investments are going to need to be made on the offensive line and in the coaching department on offense in order to get back in the loop.
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 28: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the Detroit Lions at Acrisure Stadium on August 28, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credit: Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The bottom line is it does not matter that the Steelers have what seems to be an incredible amount of talent on offense. The team is in the bottom five of every important statistical category in 2022 and even with a rookie quarterback, the experienced veteran Mitch Trubisky couldn't muster up consistent successful drives. If the organization wants to win more Super Bowl trophies it needs to be a mix of putting up 28 points a game and having a defense capable of stopping the Bills and Chiefs.
The franchise has a storied history. There is no doubt the Rooneys have been consistent in their approaches and tactics throughout the years. But, it is time to adapt. The few short years with Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell should have encouraged Tomlin and the top of the food chain executives to want to continue in that direction. The 2017 and 2018 offenses are ones that could have kept up with today's AFC star power.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates his touchdown with Le'Veon Bell #26 in the first quarter during the Wild Card Playoff game against the Miami Dolphins at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Part of this comes down to having a franchise quarterback which the Steelers believe they have found in Pickett, but it also is necessary to have an offensive mind who is excellent at using the strengths of the group. We can call this season a rebuild or just a simple restructure, but competitiveness going forward is going to hinge on the organization's ability to accept the current state of the league and shape the offense into a dominant one.
Do you think the Steelers are going to have trouble securing another championship unless the front office changes how it builds a competitive roster? Let us know in the comments below!
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