By Jack McNicholas

May 13 ,2020

After misfortune struck the team as franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow in week one of the season, the team was ranked 30^thin total yards (276.8 YPG) and 31^st in the league with passing yards per game (186.3YPG). But Pittsburgh was able to find success in their defense. After trading their first round selection for Miami Dolphins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, many wondered if the trade was worth it. Put on the tape and you will see the true impact that Minkah had on the team; an All-Pro season. The returning cast for this defense is what truly makes the Steelers a team to watch in 2020. Cam Heyward is one of the most consistent and underrated players at the defensive tackle position. The linebacker core of Devin Bush, T.J Watt and Bud Dupree return to help lead this defense. This defense ranked 5^th best in the league in both points and total yards per game  given up. Watt and Dupree deserve to be presented with a contract extension.

While the offense was now without the three major players from their offense a year prior, they were able to make an 8-8 season while having Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges run the show. Ju Ju Smith-Schuster had a down season while having the responsibility of the team’s number one receiving option. The team was able to use their first pick in the draft, which came in the second round for Chase Claypool, a deep threat wide receiver out of Notre Dame. This team has many players already in place for their success, one of the most talented defenses in the league. With a great defense, younger talents getting great experience last season, the Steelers enter the 2020 NFL season with high hopes. Coach Mike Tomlin is the true key factor; over the years he has created ways to win and adjusts his in game strategy better than most. Good coaching is just as good of a piece of optimism as any other reason.

This team’s full of talent and with Big Ben coming back, there are a lot of reasons to be excited. James Conner is a breakout candidate if healthy. Devin Bush is a player many see having the potential of having a very productive second season. After T.J Watt had a stellar season, the team exercised his fifth year option. Many would criticize the team for not making a lot of waves in free agency, but that shows they are confident in their roster and looking forward to building on their success. This team has never lacked confidence since Rothlesberger has been the quarterback. Last season despite him not playing the team was the seventh best team in the conference. One spot short of the playoffs. This year the playoff format has changed so the top seven teams. Pittsburgh would have been a playoff team this past season. With MVP Lamar Jackson and the Ravens being in their division it is expected the AFC North will be a tough division to win without any questions asked. The Steelers are a favorite to compete with Baltimore at the top of the division.

Looking forward to next season as the Steelers are set to have one of the easiest schedules in the league. The teams goal as always will first to be to win the division. The aforementioned Ravens team has the same strength of schedule. This bodes well for the team as they have a chance to make a splash in the playoffs with a roster full to talent. With player health being the only true obstacle for this team. Ben missing the whole season in 2019, Conner missing six games due to nagging injuries and JuJu missing four himself. The potential for this Pittsburgh team is off the charts if healthy. Those players will have to create an offense which will be vastly improved from the year prior.

The team has never lacked the ability to score points in past seasons under Mike Tomlin. It is expected their defense will play to an even higher level with a consistent offense putting the pressure on other teams. The team had eleven games last year which were one possession games. Seven of which they won the game. The defense is to thank for those close games and the outcome. The difference in 2020 is that the other teams will have to keep up with the Steelers on both sides of the ball which the past has shown us the team is coming to win. 2020 look out!