What I believe are the 2023 Steelers Off-Season Priorities

[AFF]

5 minutes ago, Steeler Hitman said:

I am only child. However, I had cousins my age who were  like brothers. Yes they were very much sibling rivals, so I feel you there. 

There is a raise in the salary cap for 2023. While I won't proclaim an NFL paradise of overflowing "milk and honey," I do think that the Steelers can add a few good pieces through free agency and hopefully draft well for the future. Schedule, staying fairly healthy, and even being blessed with the ball bounces can help. I don't proclaim or even remotely think the Steelers are in a position to compete with the upper echelon teams today as the roster sits.  With the right additions and subtractions, things could fall their way sooner than later. 

just too young on the offensive side of the ball and I still have my questions with the coaching staff..I think they can make playoffs but they’re not going over Buffalo/Cincy/KC in 2023.

If they wanted to, they could heavily load a big deal for cap purposes starting in 2024 kinda like they did with Daniels($4/$10/$10) and Chuks($6/$12/$12) in last years offseason.

Edited February 16, 2023 by AFF

[Steeler Hitman]

3 hours ago, AFF said:

just too young on the offensive side of the ball and I still have my questions with the coaching staff.. I think they can make playoffs but they’re not going over Buffalo/Cincy/KC in 2023.

No argument there with the roster as we sit today. They are all the superior teams. My only point is that more often than not the superior team does not win. With injuries, Super Bowl hangover, and other elements you never know. Pittsburgh historically does very well flying under the radar as they are right now. They are looked at as a middle of the pack team that could go up or down.  That is a true assessment in my opinion. I am optimistically saying that with some good off season moves, they can take a step up in a way that the 2017 Jaguars did beating the heavily favored Steelers and being a missed third down conversion and a tipped pass away from upsetting New England.

KC, Buffalo and Cincy all have great QB's so they are always a contender. However, injuries and other factors can creep in. 

If Buffalo is not careful they could be like the Steelers missing with Ben, Bell, and AB all of those years. I no longer discount the young lions. They have teeth to bite like an adult lion. 

3 hours ago, AFF said:

If they wanted to, they could heavily load a big deal for cap purposes starting in 2024 kinda like they did with Daniels($4/$10/$10) and Chuks($6/$12/$12) in last years offseason.

Your thinking is realistic and sound. Truthfully the way have traditionally thought as well. However, I still think the future is now. Give it your best shot.  We loaded up, prepared, planned, moved pieces on the chess board before 2015-2021 and it didn't work.  Nothing is promised from year to year. 

 

2010 Super Bowl upset loss to Green Bay

2012 Wild Card Play-off loss to a fired up Tim Tebow and no Ryan Clark at safety.

2013 8-8 no play-offs

2014 11-5 Lev Bell hurt, Blunt leaves and a one and done loss at home.

2015 Beat the Bengals in WC but again no Bell and Brown. Lose due to a strip fumble and a great bad backed QB with a heck of defense. Another mile high defeat.

2016 Bell hurt again early in the AFCC, Butterfingered WR's and CB's who can't cover third receiver types. Another loss to Tom and the Patriots

2017 We are 13-3 and should be 14-2 That was a TD against the Pats. The Jags didn't get the memo that they weren't as good as the Steelers. Another home play-off loss.

2018 Just missed the play-offs and AB implodes and explodes.  Browns couldn't get the ball over the ILB and the Steelers are home for Christmas at 9-6-1.

2019 Horrible start we lose Ben and then try to ride the defense behind Mason and Duck at QB. We went from 0-3 to 8-5 and finished 8-8. OL going downhill, no Big Ben magic. No AB and Bell was resetting the RB market.

2020 12-4.  The Steelers looked great pounding the Browns and for 29 minutes against the Titans. The cracks started forming in the foundation and after an 11-0 start finished 12-4 and got embarrassed  at home against the Brown. Bye bye Marquise Pouncey.

2021 9-7-1 and get blasted by the Chiefs in KC. Thanks for the memories Big Ben

2022 9-8 and the start of the Pickett era.

2023 ??? 

That timeline tells me tomorrow is never promised. 

[armsteeld]

Sticking with this thread, what players are the biggest weakness on our defense? We have positionless guys who are damn near useless for most of the season. Coach Tomlin likes versatility but I'd prefer expertise. 

Arthur Maulet, Trey Norwood, Devin Bush, Chris Wormley all were basically useless. Offenses attacked those players especially Norwood and Maulet. Our defense became much better when they were phased out. Kazee was a huge get for us as he allowed Minkah to freelance and we had someone capable to play the backend. Bush was bush-leaugue 💩 

[3rivers]

2 hours ago, Steeler Hitman said:

That timeline tells me tomorrow is never promised. 

colbert has a hand in that timeline along with tomlin allowing players like ben and AB to create a toxic environment. Now it's different but we will find out how. 

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by 3rivers

[3rivers]

1 hour ago, armsteeld said:

Bush was bush-leaugue 💩 

if he returns, then I am losing more faith in the FO. Bad enough canada is still here

[43M]

1 hour ago, armsteeld said:

Sticking with this thread, what players are the biggest weakness on our defense? We have positionless guys who are damn near useless for most of the season. Coach Tomlin likes versatility but I'd prefer expertise. 

Arthur Maulet, Trey Norwood, Devin Bush, Chris Wormley all were basically useless. Offenses attacked those players especially Norwood and Maulet. Our defense became much better when they were phased out. Kazee was a huge get for us as he allowed Minkah to freelance and we had someone capable to play the backend. Bush was bush-leaugue 💩 

Wormley is a decent pass rush specialist.   Utterly useless vs the run.

NT is a major weakness.   No true starting caliber player there.

Our CB depth is rather rough.   Maulet is occasionally decent, but very upgradable.   Norwood isnt NFL talent.  Neither is James Pierre.

Bush was better in 22 than 21, but still not starting caliber.   What a bust.

Jack was very disappointing too, but I think he could be salvageable with a improved DL play and a better player next to him at ILB.  

Kinda rather start from scratch at ILB, but doubt that happens.

[August4th]

on how far the steelers might be, anyone else notice that the last couple superbowls featured a team that became a new contender that yr? people forget the eagles were a 7th seed team last yr that got blowout in the WC. Had a losing record the yr before that. The bengals were a bottom 5 team the yr before the made the SB last yr.  4 out of the 6 superbowls before those featured teams that did not make the postseason the yr before. the 15-1 Panthers were 7-8-1 the yr before. I'm not saying the steelers are going to be one of those teams, but recent history has shown teams at our current level can turn it around quickly. realizing this has me thinking a team like the Lions or Jags will make the SB next yr or whoever gets A-rod(do the TB and LAR model of getting a proven vet)

Edited February 17, 2023 by August4th

[bigben07MVP]

James Pierre was actually really solid in a handful on spot starts last year. I actually wouldn’t mind bringing him back as CB4.

[armsteeld]

11 minutes ago, bigben07MVP said:

James Pierre was actually really solid in a handful on spot starts last year. I actually wouldn’t mind bringing him back as CB4.

He's ok on STs. I prefer him as CB5 for next year but that depends on who we bring in.

[43M]

10 hours ago, bigben07MVP said:

James Pierre was actually really solid in a handful on spot starts last year. I actually wouldn’t mind bringing him back as CB4.

Against mediocre passing offenses.

I feel like some people are giving the secondary too much credit for how they performed vs some mediocre or worse QB.

If Pierre makes the team as deep depth, so be it, but he needs to work for it.

Id like to see a DB drafted high, resign Sutton, and maybe even cut and resign WJIII to a 1 year deal.   Draft another CB late.   Have Pierre, Maulet and mid-late rd CB compete for depth spots.

 

[bigben07MVP]

1 hour ago, 43M said:

Against mediocre passing offenses.

I feel like some people are giving the secondary too much credit for how they performed vs some mediocre or worse QB.

If Pierre makes the team as deep depth, so be it, but he needs to work for it.

Id like to see a DB drafted high, resign Sutton, and maybe even cut and resign WJIII to a 1 year deal.   Draft another CB late.   Have Pierre, Maulet and mid-late rd CB compete for depth spots.

 

What offenses did he start against?

To be honest I don’t remember who it was, just remember being impressed with a number of plays he made and seeing some PFF stats that he was hardly targeted when he was on the field. He’s got great size, still only 26, and apparently has always been a great practice player. It was a small sample size and he never impressed me before last year though. He could still suck idk. But I like him as a cheap backup.

[MOSteelers56]

4 hours ago, 43M said:

Against mediocre passing offenses.

I feel like some people are giving the secondary too much credit for how they performed vs some mediocre or worse QB.

If Pierre makes the team as deep depth, so be it, but he needs to work for it.

Id like to see a DB drafted high, resign Sutton, and maybe even cut and resign WJIII to a 1 year deal.   Draft another CB late.   Have Pierre, Maulet and mid-late rd CB compete for depth spots.

 

I kind of agree. I like Sutton, Minkah, Edmunds, Kazee, and Levi. I think our safety group is really good, especially if we bring back Edmunds and Kazee. Our top two corners are solid, but I don't love Maulet. Pierre is a good depth guy and ST player. We could get by with running it back, but I think the CB room needs a shot of talent. Sutton is an average #1, Levi is an average #2. I think Sutton and Wallace would be pretty solidly above average dropped down a spot. I also really like that both can move into the slot if needed. I'd also really look to upgrade Maulet. A true lockdown boundary CB would help in so many ways. We could let them erase a top target, which allows Minkah to play less shackled. It's a good draft to get a stud too. 

[Dcash4]

5 hours ago, 43M said:

Against mediocre passing offenses.

I feel like some people are giving the secondary too much credit for how they performed vs some mediocre or worse QB.

If Pierre makes the team as deep depth, so be it, but he needs to work for it.

Id like to see a DB drafted high, resign Sutton, and maybe even cut and resign WJIII to a 1 year deal.   Draft another CB late.   Have Pierre, Maulet and mid-late rd CB compete for depth spots.

 

I am not arguing against your point (I agree with it in general), but I do think Pierre individually played well.  His first game action was against the Bills and regularly lined up against Diggs and stuck with him. He particularly looked good playing press-man. 

He never should have been starting last year, but he wasn't the only odd choice for unquestioned insertion into a starting gig (Green & Norwood). I would still like to see us resign Sutton and draft one high, but I am also excited to see more of Pierre. I definitely want him on the team, but his role needs to be carved out by his growth.  

[Ward4HOF]

15 hours ago, 43M said:

Kinda rather start from scratch at ILB, but doubt that happens.

Not a secret that I've been beating that drum for awhile now.  Like you, I'm willing to give Jack a chance, as at least he's shown to be a quality ILB in the NFL, and I'd keep Robinson as a decent back up, and see if he evolves further, but I'd love to grab a Mack and at least 2 Bucks (with yes, one being a proven performer, even if not yet stellar, Edmunds from the Bills), then bring in a Buck, and Mack, via the draft (even if one is a pick, and the other a Priority UDFA / 7thRd-type)

Then, it's paramount we grab a stud NT, and if the Steelers like Benton, then don't mess around, and take him at 32.  We need to build that front 7 of the defense.  We've proven in the past, that with a stout front 7, and a stud safety, we can get by with mediocre CB play.  Sure...shoot for the stars, and try to bring in one stud via FA or the draft, but other than that, I'm not worried about CB, tbh...

[Ward4HOF]

49 minutes ago, MOSteelers56 said:

I kind of agree. I like Sutton, Minkah, Edmunds, Kazee, and Levi. I think our safety group is really good, especially if we bring back Edmunds and Kazee. Our top two corners are solid, but I don't love Maulet. Pierre is a good depth guy and ST player. We could get by with running it back, but I think the CB room needs a shot of talent. Sutton is an average #1, Levi is an average #2. I think Sutton and Wallace would be pretty solidly above average dropped down a spot. I also really like that both can move into the slot if needed. I'd also really look to upgrade Maulet. A true lockdown boundary CB would help in so many ways. We could let them erase a top target, which allows Minkah to play less shackled. It's a good draft to get a stud too. 

And yes, I agree.  We got a heck of a lot of bang for the buck with Levi.  He had career stats with us, and only starting 9 games.  Say what you want about how his failures this season, but he got 4 Ints. He has hands, and is opportunistic.  Nothing wrong with keeping him at his current payday, with play like he's shown.