Sunday September 15th, 2019. We all thought the Steelers season was over. Ben Roethlisberger goes down with an injured elbow, that we later found out would need surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery ended Big Ben’s 2019 season, but somehow the Steelers were able to go 8-8 with a mix of QB play from players named Delvin “Duck” Hodges and Mason Rudolph. Their QB play mixed with amazing coaching from HC Mike Tomlin & Co and the amazing defense that led the NFL in takeaways led the Steelers to a .500 season. I’m writing this article to convince the people who don’t believe a healthy Steelers team will take the AFC by storm, that they will.
Lets break it down, flashback to 2018, the Steelers went 9-6-1 with horrible team chemistry. Their playoff hopes were shattered in Week 17. But that year, Ben Roethlisberger put up some of the best numbers in his career at age 36. He led the league in passing attempts and completions (452 CMP & 675 ATT), led the league in passing yards (5,129), and led the league in passing yards per game with 320.6!
Yes, Big Ben had Antonio Brown and a healthy JuJu Smith-Schuster, but this shows Ben still has a lot left in the tank. Not to mention, in 2018 he played and started in all 16 games. If this doesn’t convince you why teams in the AFC should be scared, let me break it down even more.
It’s not going to be all Ben and the offense. The Steelers defense is extremely scary, we are talking like Top 5 scary. OLB TJ Watt just finished his 3rd year in the NFL and put up career numbers. 14.5 sacks, 55 tackles, 14 TFL, and 36 QB hits, 36! Not to mention, they now have, rookie last year going into his second year, MLB Devin Bush. Who tore it up last season and will continue to do so in 2020. Last but not least, S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Minkah was INSANE last year and put the whole league on notice. He was tied for 2nd in the NFL for INT’s. It’s going to be his 2nd year in the scheme and like Watt, Bush, and Co. he is going to tear it up. Watt (25), Bush (21), and Minkah (23), are going to lead this defense to once again be a Top 5 in the NFL. If those three players don’t sell you on defense don’t forget about, CB Joe Haden, DE Camron Hayward, DE Stephon Tuitt, OLB Bud Dupree, and many more. This defense is going to be scary. Plus, if the Steelers draft some defense in this years draft that will help even more.
Now, if you are still reading and your still not convinced, let’s me try to sway your opinion some more.
JuJu and James Connor, both key parts of the offense, struggled to stay on the field last season. Next year will be different, I have a feeling and know they both will be back and better then ever next season. WR James Washington, who proved himself last year as a rookie, will be in his second year and make big strides in that offense.
The new addition of TE Eric Ebron will give Big Ben a red zone threat and another great athletic weapon. The OL is still one of the best in the league, the depth at RB will help Ben and Co. a lot, and the draft picks the Steelers have for 2020 could and will come in handy. The Steelers draft smart, real smart, I wouldn’t be surprised if they made this team even better for 2020.
Let’s look at the team.
(Not the full 53 man roster)
OFFENSE:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger
QB: Duck Hodges
RB: James Connor
RB: Jaylen Samuels
RB: Benny Snell Jr.
FB: Derek Watt
WR1: JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR2: James Washington
WR3: Diontae Johnson
WR4: Ryan Switzer
TE1: Eric Ebron
TE2: Vance McDonald
TE3: Zach Gentry
LT: Alejandro Villanueva
LG: Matt Feiler
C: Maurice Pouncey
RG: David DeCastro
RT: Zach Banner
DEFENSE:
DE: Stephon Tuitt
DT: Chris Wormley
DE: Cameron Hayward
OLB: TJ Watt
ILB: Devin Bush
ILB: Vince Williams
OLB: Bud Dupree
CB: Joe Haden
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick
SS: Terrell Edmunds
CB: Steven Nelson
Draft Needs: SS, ILB, and WR
SS: Terrell Edmunds is more of a backup, if the Steelers can land a Grant Delpit if he falls that would be perfect.
ILB: Devin Bush is not the problem here, in fact he is part of the solution. He is part of the Young Big 3 (Watt, Minkah, and Bush). The problem is actually Vince Williams, if the Steelers can get a guy like Troy Dye. That would be perfect scenario for the Steelers.
WR: This WR class is deep, JuJu and Washington are studs, Johnson and Switzer have potential, but improving the guys around them would help Ben a lot.
The defense mixed with a healthy offense next year is going to be insane. The Steelers division is pretty tough, but their are only a handful of teams that are on/above the Steelers level. (i.e. Ravens, Chiefs, and Bills)
With a good or bad draft this team is still insane and ready to roll. They made some great underrated moves this offseason and they are going to be scary.
Especially now that their are 7 playoff teams per conference. The Steelers have a real legitimate shot at making the playoffs and everyone knows anything can happen in the playoffs.
If I haven’t convinced you yet, then just watch. I have done all I could trying to convince the haters who think the Steelers won’t be a threat next season.
And hey, Bill O’Brian might want to move JJ Watt for the right price. He moved DHop for a bag of chip. Why not unite all the 3 Watt brothers on the same team. 😉
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