As I did final 12 months, I carry you 10 issues I take into consideration the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers. A set of ten predictions concerning the Steelers’ season. A few of them large, a few of them small, however my high expectations for the season.
After the 12 months wraps up, we’ll revisit these projections and see what I bought proper and what I bought fallacious.
1. Russell Wilson Will Stay The Steelers’ Starter All through Most, If Not All, Of 2024
Regardless that it’ll include an inevitable midseason quarterback controversy. I jotted this prediction down earlier than the information of his calf tightness surfaced Thursday afternoon, creating an uneasy feeling earlier than the primary Steelers Sunday. However I say this extra about efficiency than assuming picture-perfect well being.
As long as Wilson is competent and the Steelers aggressive, it’s exhausting to see Wilson benched midseason. He was Pittsburgh’s first selection, signed with out the crew intent of additionally including Fields. That door solely opened as soon as Kenny Pickett exited stage proper. Mike Tomlin will be loyal, typically to a fault, and Wilson will play higher soccer than what Pittsburgh’s gotten the previous two years.
That is an I assume not a I assure however I count on Wilson to be within the lineup from wire to wire. Assuming his physique can maintain up, that’s.
2. The “straightforward” a part of the schedule gained’t really feel really easy
Nationwide or native, the response to the Steelers’ schedule was nearly uniform. The again finish of it belongs in a circle of Dante’s Inferno. The entrance half? Not too daunting.
That’s not my view. Whereas the again half is harder than the entrance portion, the primary 5 weeks of the 12 months are not any picnic. Two robust street video games to open the 12 months in Atlanta and Denver adopted by going through the improved Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. Then heading out to Indianapolis in Week 4, the place Pittsburgh misplaced final season, earlier than internet hosting the potent Dallas Cowboys in Week 5.
Can Pittsburgh win right here? Completely. However each sport goes to be a battle till the end. Partially due to the power of those opponents, partially as a result of heart-stopping is the one method the Steelers understand how too win.
3. Pittsburgh Will End High 5 In Speeding Makes an attempt
Historical past says they’ll rank right here. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has seen his offenses end high 5 in speeding makes an attempt 4 of his 5 years working the present in Tennessee or Atlanta. He was employed by Pittsburgh for his run-first perspective, the Steelers boasting a Najee Harris/Jaylen Warren duo behind an improved offensive line. They need to run the ball at will. So run they’ll.
Combine in what Justin Fields might supply within the designed run sport and the Steelers can play a greater model of ball management and win within the trenches.
4. This Offense Will Miss A No. 2 wideout
Smith’s offenses don’t require a talented No. 2 huge receiver as earlier Steelers schemes demanded, however this offense will really feel incomplete and not using a critical weapon reverse WR George Pickens. Pittsburgh’s seek for assist might and may proceed till the commerce deadline. It wouldn’t be stunning to see the Steelers make an enormous swing for a reputation receiver round Halloween.
5. Minkah Fitzpatrick Will Roar Again
An underrated story this 12 months is FS Minkah Fitzpatrick’s return. Not solely along with his well being, that’s apparent sufficient after lacking seven full video games a 12 months in the past, but additionally his alignment. The Steelers gained’t use him within the field on the absurd 20-percent fee they did final season.
Failing to document a takeaway in 2023 for the primary time in his school or NFL profession, Fitzpatrick will return with a vengeance. Anticipate a basic impression 12 months.
6. An Offensive Deal with Will Catch A Landing Go
Referenced this in my stats prediction publish. Final 12 months, I predicted Connor Heyward would throw a landing. He didn’t however he tried a landing cross that fell incomplete. This 12 months, an enormous man will get to do a landing dance.
Who? Tougher to say. Troy Fautanu matches as an athletic sixth sort out who confirmed off his arms this offseason. At Tennessee below Smith, a number of tackles caught touchdowns down close to the aim line. Well timed play-action with an efficient floor sport might get certainly one of these guys open.
7. The ILBs Received’t Be Good…However They’ll Be Good
Pittsburgh had an efficient three-man inside linebacker rotation final season till accidents ruined all the things. The Steelers rebuilt that group even stronger by signing Patrick Queen and drafting Payton Wilson. Elandon Roberts returns as a hammer.
There are some questions with this group. I’ve reservations about Queen in protection, although it’s such a tough job for a linebacker, and Wilson has to get higher in opposition to the run. Nonetheless, the expertise and pace listed below are professional and so they’ll make performs behind a stout beginning d-line.
8. Pittsburgh will return one kick for a TD…however all the things else can be muted
Cordarrelle Patterson was introduced in to impression the kick-return sport. And he’ll. As soon as.
Nonetheless, my expectations are tempered. Both due to his sport declining into his 30s or as a result of he homes one and groups cease kicking to him or for no matter cause, the kick-return sport gained’t really feel dramatically completely different regardless of its new hairdo. However all it takes is one crease to accommodate one, one thing Patterson nonetheless has the juice to do. It’ll be the crew’s first kick-return rating since 2017.
9. Slot Nook Will Really feel Like A High 2025 Want
After years of a committee at slot nook, Pittsburgh feels as messy as ever. Even final 12 months’s duo of Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson seems to be extra steady and certain than what the Steelers have now. Their depth chart appears to be Beanie Bishop Jr. for run downs and S DeShon Elliott for cross downs however even that’s an unsure assertion to make.
Exterior nook might really feel like a necessity subsequent 12 months too — Donte Jackson’s a pending free agent — however 2025 could be the 12 months the place Pittsburgh lastly tries to resolve the slot nook drawback long-term with one man.
10. Keeanu Benton And Nick Herbig Will Be Budding Wisconsin Studs
This can be a fairly straightforward name to make. Benton and Herbig have been dominant in the summertime. Benton seems to be stronger and says he’s in higher form. Herbig has as many pass-rush strikes as anybody on this crew with a ridiculous first step. He must be on the sector in some three-outside linebacker seems to be.
Taking part in time might cap their manufacturing nevertheless it’s not unreasonable to foretell they attain double-digit mixed sacks. The entrance seven seems to be like an actual power of this crew.
Bonus
Cameron Johnston Will Set A Steelers Gross File
Placing this one in bonus territory as a result of I’ve talked about it a lot and it appears like a layup. All Johnston has to do is common 47.1 gross punting yards to interrupt a document that’s been held since 1961. He’s carried out it every of his final two years and even in his early years in Philadelphia, he got here dangerously near that mark.
Johnston boomed the ball like loopy within the preseason and will run up the numbers in September and October when the climate is nice. How properly Pittsburgh covers his punts is a professional query however Johnston’s uncooked numbers can be spectacular.