Cornhuskerkid02
Contributor
The Steelers are coming off back to back 8-8 seasons. However, this will be new ownership's first full season. The James ownership group took over after 10 games last year and the Steelers finished 5-2 under their watch. Tight losses to the two best teams in the AFC (during the regular season) has lead fans to believe that this is the year for the Steelers to get back into the playoffs. There have been some rumblings that this could potentially be Big Bens last season. At the young age of 36 Big Ben holds every passing record for the Steelers. Big Ben should pass Jon Elway this season for 7th all time.
The team added starters and depth this offseason. Most notable off season signings were that of Cobb Devonta Freeman and Avery Williamson. The team also feels that it may have drafted 3 starters, and the potential for 5 future starters. The three that will be starting right away or at some point this season will be their first three picks: Arden Key (DE – Auburn), Jordan Whitehead (FS – Pittsburgh) and Matthew Thomas (OLB – Florida State). The team will have the spots of ROLB and FS for battle during the preseason. The FS battle will be between Dez Southward (FA), the previously mentioned Whitehead, and incumbent starter Rob Bolden. The ROLB spot will be a battle between a few different options, but the top 3 will be Thomas, incumbent starter Akeem Ayers, and FA signing Mike Morgan (who has the lead currently.)
The team will also be shifting into a 4-3. A 3-4 for team the last 2 decades Tomlin and his staff felt it was time to move on. Shazier will stay at MLB, Avery Williamson will shift to LOLB and the battle for the ROLB spot. Bud Dupree will shift down to DE and Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt will shift inside. Arden Key will start at the other DE spot.
The team hopes it may have found the steal of the draft in Mahomes. The team had a 3rd round grade on him and stole him in the fifth. Although the team signed Driskel in the offseason to a 4 year contract to potentially be the successor to Big Ben they felt they had to draft Mahomes. A very good athlete with a cannon of an arm. Many thought Mahomes may chase his baseball career, which may have been the reason behind his fall. The battle between Mahomes and Driskel for successor will be a behind the scenes battle. The team hopes the additions of Cobb and Freeman will make their offense one the best in the NFL in the upcoming season. The James ownership group said that anything less than 9 wins is unacceptable and anything less than 5,500 yards would be a failure. They said their defense and depth were the priority of their draft and FA (which was evident 6 of the 7 picks were defense). The team also will be looking into a construction partner to either renovate their stadium or build a new one. They have no intention, at this current moment, of leaving the city of Pittsburgh
The team added starters and depth this offseason. Most notable off season signings were that of Cobb Devonta Freeman and Avery Williamson. The team also feels that it may have drafted 3 starters, and the potential for 5 future starters. The three that will be starting right away or at some point this season will be their first three picks: Arden Key (DE – Auburn), Jordan Whitehead (FS – Pittsburgh) and Matthew Thomas (OLB – Florida State). The team will have the spots of ROLB and FS for battle during the preseason. The FS battle will be between Dez Southward (FA), the previously mentioned Whitehead, and incumbent starter Rob Bolden. The ROLB spot will be a battle between a few different options, but the top 3 will be Thomas, incumbent starter Akeem Ayers, and FA signing Mike Morgan (who has the lead currently.)
The team will also be shifting into a 4-3. A 3-4 for team the last 2 decades Tomlin and his staff felt it was time to move on. Shazier will stay at MLB, Avery Williamson will shift to LOLB and the battle for the ROLB spot. Bud Dupree will shift down to DE and Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt will shift inside. Arden Key will start at the other DE spot.
The team hopes it may have found the steal of the draft in Mahomes. The team had a 3rd round grade on him and stole him in the fifth. Although the team signed Driskel in the offseason to a 4 year contract to potentially be the successor to Big Ben they felt they had to draft Mahomes. A very good athlete with a cannon of an arm. Many thought Mahomes may chase his baseball career, which may have been the reason behind his fall. The battle between Mahomes and Driskel for successor will be a behind the scenes battle. The team hopes the additions of Cobb and Freeman will make their offense one the best in the NFL in the upcoming season. The James ownership group said that anything less than 9 wins is unacceptable and anything less than 5,500 yards would be a failure. They said their defense and depth were the priority of their draft and FA (which was evident 6 of the 7 picks were defense). The team also will be looking into a construction partner to either renovate their stadium or build a new one. They have no intention, at this current moment, of leaving the city of Pittsburgh