TAKING STOCK: PITTSBURGH STEELERS

BY ADAM GREENE

There’s losing in the playoffs, then there’s what the Pittsburgh Steelers did when they laid an Argentinosaurus egg against AFC North rival Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card Round. The memes were plentiful and the bulletin board was kept full. I’m sure you can buy a “The Browns is the Browns” t-shirt on any street corner in Cleveland today.

While the end to their season was inglorious, the Steelers still managed to post one of the best records in the league and were the last undefeated team to fall after an 11-0 start.

In the Taking Stock series, we’re looking at each playoff team, going from worst to first, and outlining exactly what they must do to avoid being one of the five or so franchises who miss the postseason the year after making it.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

2020-21 Record: 12-4, AFC North Champion

Playoffs: Lost 48-37 to the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wild Card Round

2021-22 AFC Championship Odds: +1600

Previously: Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Washington Football Team

THE NEXT QUATERBACK

At 39, QB Ben Roethlisberger had the season the Steelers hoped when he decided to return from an injury-shortened 2019 campaign. Roethlisberger completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

But this is the problem for Pittsburgh as the QB cliff awaits all men (except for maybe Tom Brady) and the Steelers have whiffed hard on their attempts to pick Big Ben’s heir apparent over the last few NFL drafts.

Pittsburgh currently has two QBs on the roster behind Roethlisberger under contract; Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins Jr. Haskins, obviously, has the most talent of the two, which is why he was a first round pick for the Washington Football Team before they cut him for trying to handcraft a COVID-Chlamydia hybrid at DC strip clubs.

That means Dobbs and Rudolph’s days are numbered if the Steelers do the smart thing and draft a QB. So let’s talk about it…

THE DRAFT

Pittsburgh’s first selection comes at No. 24 in the first round, which could be in QB range, but probably too low to grab a guy like Justin Fields, who the Western Pennsylvania media has become enamored with, in spite of his Ohio State pedigree. The team has other needs outside of QB, specifically on the offensive line. If you’re going to war with Roethlisberger, you can hardly be faulted to want to keep him upright.

With so many QBs likely going, that could push some quality offensive linemen to 24; guys like Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins or Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield. But that makes their second round selection, at No. 55, that much more important and one they must use to nab a QB.

Outside the Top Five, Florida Kyle Trask is probably the next best guy and at 6-5, 240 actually looks like a Steelers quarterback. He’s played with NFL talent at Florida and, more importantly, played against it every week this past season in an All-SEC schedule. Trask completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 4,283 yards, 43 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. If the current prospect rankings hold up, he should still be there when Pittsburgh picks at 55. That could all change by draft day as teams begin their evaluations, in whatever form they can be without an actual NFL combine.

In round three, they’re probably looking at a running back like Michael Carter from North Carolina, Kenneth Gainwell from Memphis or Rhamondre Stevenson from Oklahoma. Pittsburgh could push the RB position to the next round if another offensive lineman, maybe a guy like Josh Myers from Ohio State, remains available in the third.

FREE AGENCY

Here’s where the Steelers always run into trouble and it has more to do with their team philosophy than any salary cap issues. They like to let good players walk. That means that an edge rusher like Bud Dupree is likely gone. Running back James Conner too, in spite of his local popularity, has most likely played his last down in Pittsburgh. JuJu Smith-Schuster too will probably be wearing a different jersey next season.

The guy they really do need to bring back is left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who recorded a 74.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. Villanueva gave up just three sacks last season and four penalties and, again it can not be stressed enough, until they do solve their QB of the future issues, Pittsburgh needs to keep the QB of the present healthy.

If Pittsburgh does dabble in free agency, it’ll be to pick up some scraps post draft or bargain guys to shore up depth in the defensive backfield and offensive line. They could also sign a late-available running back if they want to add some insurance before the draft. A guy like former Los Angeles Rams runner Malcolm Brown makes a lot sense, especially with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Brown averaged 4.1 yards per carry  with five touchdowns last season and caught 23 passes for 162 yards.

AFC NORTH

The biggest obstacle for the Steelers making a postseason run is their own division. Last year three teams from the AFC North made it, the Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns. While Pittsburgh was able to get the season sweep over the Ravens thanks to having a competent defensive coordinator that could call a game against a Pop Warner offensive attack, it wasn’t so easy against the Browns. Cleveland won the final two match ups between the two squads, and while Pittsburgh was starting back ups in the regular season finale, the Wild Card beat down was all starters and well-earned. Add in an improved Cincinnati Bengals team with a healthy Joe Burrow and this entire division could be due for a flip.

Projected 2021-22 Record: 10-6, AFC Wild Card

Follow our BetOnline Twitter account for the latest sports news and betting odds, and stay tuned on the Instagram feed for more good information too.