The Pittsburgh Steelers face an imperative offseason as they aim to address critical areas of their roster following a season that exposed several vulnerabilities. With the defense ranking 16th overall in yards allowed, struggles in pass defense, and a faltering offensive line despite significant investments, the Steelers need strategic adjustments. Coach Mike Tomlin has acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the urgency for change and improvement. As they hold the No. 20 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, decisions on player trades and strategic enhancements will shape their future.
The Steelers ended the season with a middling defensive performance, ranking 16th in yards allowed per game at 334.3. Although they managed a respectable 10th place in rushing defense with 109.8 yards per game, their passing defense lagged at 23rd, allowing 224.5 yards. This inconsistency highlighted areas requiring immediate attention. The defensive line's inability to pressure opposing quarterbacks consistently resulted in 49 sacks over the season, further underscoring the need for reinforcement.
Despite early-season success with 28 takeaways in the first 13 games, the Steelers' defense faltered towards the end, managing only five takeaways in their final five contests. This decline in defensive prowess contributed to their challenges in securing victories down the stretch.
Fitzpatrick's utilization as the last line of defense limited his ability to make crucial game-changing plays, a decision made by defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Consequently, Fitzpatrick's impact was less pronounced than in previous seasons. Meanwhile, the run game, while slightly improved from the previous year with an average of 121.7 rushing yards per game, saw a significant drop to just 101.7 yards in the final three games, culminating in a mere 29 yards during their wild-card loss.
Offensively, the Steelers invested heavily in their line by signing Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels and drafting tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu with consecutive first-round picks. However, despite these moves, the line's performance remained average. This shortcoming raises questions about the effectiveness of their strategy and the need for further development and possible personnel changes.
Coach Tomlin has been candid about the team's performance and areas needing improvement.
"I don't know that I'm ready to be overly optimistic or sell optimism to you, either," – Mike Tomlin
Tomlin's comments reflect a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead.
"Although we've had similar results, rest assured that we're not doing the same things and hoping for a different result," – Mike Tomlin
This statement underscores his commitment to change and reevaluation of their strategies.
The Steelers also face decisions regarding potential trades involving key players like receiver George Pickens and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Trading Fitzpatrick could free up $24.2 million in cap space over two years but would leave a gap in their defensive backfield. Conversely, trading Pickens might seem counterintuitive given their lack of depth at wide receiver.
Tomlin remains focused on player development and readiness for future challenges.
"He's got to grow up in a hurry," – Mike Tomlin
This reflects his expectations for players to adapt and mature quickly within the team's framework.
"The way that he managed his professional circumstance was really impressive," – Mike Tomlin
Tomlin's acknowledgment of individual player growth highlights instances of progress amid broader team struggles.
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