These players should enter the season with big chips on their shoulders
An aging team typically has many accomplished veterans on it who don’t need to prove their worth to coaches and supporters.
There are a few anomalies for the Steelers in the next campaign, though. And with Pittsburgh not having won a postseason game since 2016, it’s not only players who need to get better.
For this exercise, though, I’ll give head coach Mike Tomlin a break and pay particular attention to the players who need to silence their skeptics.
5. Justin Fields,
quarterback In a perfect world, this player (at least as the starting quarterback) doesn’t even see the field, thus I debated whether or not to include him on my list.
But considering how the former first-round selection was dismissed in Chicago, he needs to fulfill a few important requirements in Pittsburgh this season. Is he able to assemble a strong preseason? Will the
offense have packages for him that highlight his legs? If so, is he able to manage his turnover problems? Russell Wilson, the team’s projected starting quarterback, has been resilient throughout his career, but it’s likely that Fields will have to fill in for Wilson at a crucial moment during the season.
4. TE Pat Freiermuth
Freiermuth became just the 10th tight end in NFL history to reach 100 career receptions in 25 games or less, which is a pretty eye-opening stat, right? With that type of accolade, you’d think he’d be considered a top tight end in the league. But after posting 60 and 63 receptions, respectively. in his first two seasons, he only hauled in 32 passes for 308 yards last year.
Much of that can be attributed to poor quarterback play, as well as missing five games with injury, but it feels like a lot of the hype flames for Freiermuth have all been blown out.
It’s time for Freiermuth to have a career year in an offense under new coach Arthur Smith that has made extensive use of the tight end position throughout his career.
3. George Pickens,
WR Pickens doesn’t need to prove that he is excellent since we all know he is. Can he, however, advance to the next level and excel? Pickens is now responsible for carrying the majority of the passing game load since Diontae Johnson is no longer in the lineup.
He had four touchdowns and 803 yards on 52 receptions in 2022. He caught 63 catches last season for 1140 yards and five touchdowns. While his stature is growing, is he prepared to join the league’s elite group of pass catchers? In order for it to occur, the figures must increase to around 80 catches and nearly ten scores.
particularly in light of the reduced wide receiver room as it stands.
2. DT Cameron Heyward
Let’s not hold back – One of the greatest defensive players in Steelers history is Heyward. However, at 35, he is about to begin the last season of a four-year, $65 million contract. Regardless of your standing in the team’s history, there shouldn’t be any freebies in this league.
He had a fantastic season last year on the field despite being 34 years old. But he did miss six games due to a groin ailment, and as they say, everyone gets old eventually. He still has the ability to be a dominant force up front for a team that sorely needs it, and I won’t rule that out.
Furthermore, there have been rumors circulating lately that Heyward and the organization have discussed extending his contract. Before the offer sheet is given to him, in my opinion, he must demonstrate that he deserves to be paid like a superstar.
1. QB Wilson Russell
Most likely, this is not a huge surprise. The veteran quarterback is being paid over $38 million by his previous franchise, the Denver Broncos, to play for a different squad. Wilson had a 90.8 passer rating in his two seasons with the Denver Broncos, down from his 101.8 average in his ten years with the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson was 11-19 in thirty starts during that time.
That passer rating feels like a gift from heaven to Steelers supporters who have had to watch Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett struggle over the past two years.
Wilson, however, is 35 years old, so this will probably be his last opportunity to demonstrate that he can start in this league. And not just a respectable one either—one who can lead his team to the postseason and contend all the way through.
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