Did the Ravens beat the Steelers within the commerce deadline arms race?
Over the previous week or so, each the Steelers and the Ravens bolstered offense and protection through commerce. The Steelers added WR Mike Williams, whereas the Ravens acquired WR Diontae Johnson. Defensively, the Ravens added CB Tre’Davious White, the Steelers deepening their go rush with Preston Smith.
My guess is the overwhelming majority will agree that the Ravens helped themselves greater than the Steelers did. Whereas White is not the Professional Bowler he as soon as was, he’s nonetheless a starter, whereas Smith is depth for the Steelers. And the Ravens wanted extra secondary assist than the Steelers wanted edge rush depth.
One can simply argue that Diontae Johnson is a greater (and more healthy) extensive receiver than Mike Williams. And the Steelers have been in rather more determined want of receivers than the Ravens have been. Whereas the Steelers are coming off a superb offensive run, the Ravens already had a superior offense.
Then once more, maybe the Steelers’ deeper want at extensive receiver is the important thing. Although he hasn’t torn up the league this 12 months, Mike Williams could make a professional distinction. Diontae Johnson is simply one other weapon in a potent and numerous offense. They already had Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, Isaiah Seemingly, and Derrick Henry—to not point out Lamar Jackson.
The Steelers and Ravens will sq. off for the primary time this season in a pair weeks. By then, each events ought to have all their new items up and operating.
No matter who might have gotten higher than the opposite, although, the Steelers do have current success in opposition to the Ravens. Even when the Ravens had clearly higher groups, they managed to seek out methods to win. And now the Steelers have their finest offensive nucleus in 5 or 6 years.
Plus, by no means low cost the worth of a contemporary go rush. To have Nick Herbig and Preston Smith within the recreation whereas T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are catching their breath is an unexplored benefit the Steelers are most likely fairly enthusiastic about.
The Steelers’ 2024 season is underway, following one other disappointing 12 months ending in a first-round playoff loss. They’ve had a protracted offseason because the Buffalo Payments stamped them out of their distress again in January. There are constructive indicators, however issues may soar off the rails any second.
The most important query hanging over the staff is the quarterback query. Is Russell Wilson incomes a profitable new deal subsequent 12 months, and is Justin Fields nonetheless in consideration? How will the staff proceed to handle the depth chart, which is surprisingly nonetheless in flux?
The common season is right here, following weeks of camp and preseason video games. The Steelers made quite a few strikes by means of signings and commerce—and launch. Greater than common, they appeared snug creating holes, assured they will fill them. Some they managed to fill, others not a lot. Now that we now have so many items of the puzzle, nevertheless, we merely have a brand new set of inquiries to ask.
