If getting probably the most headlines was correlated to profitable then I might choose the Pittsburgh Steelers as this season’s Super Bowl champion.
The Steelers have made extra noise than any crew this offseason due to the high-profile (and lengthy awaited) signing of Aaron Rodgers and some blockbuster trades, however what does it actually quantity to?
Few groups have ever had an offseason just like the Steelers. They added gamers with a mixed 26 profession Professional Bowl picks between Aaron Rodgers (10), Jalen Ramsey (7), Darius Slay (6), DK Metcalf (2) and Jonnu Smith (1). It is the fourth-most Professional Bowl picks ever added in a single offseason behind the 2020 Buccaneers (32), 2008 Jets (31) and 2000 Washington (31). Pittsburgh can look to the Buccaneers for inspiration as that crew truly did win a Super Bowl after including Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown and Leonard Fournette, amongst others.
The Steelers misplaced rather a lot, too, shifting on from Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Najee Harris, George Pickens, Minkah Fitzpatrick and extra. The final time a crew had extra mixed Professional Bowl picks added to and subtracted from their crew (Pittsburgh had 42) in a single offseason was in 2004 with the Raiders (Tim Brown and Jerry Rice left).
As certainly one of my co-workers put it, it was like spamming your Madden franchise with star additions within the offseason. It is considerably harking back to the Eagles ‘dream crew’ offseason in 2011 once they added Vince Younger, Ronnie Brown, Jason Babin, Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Steelers notable offseason strikes
So had been the Steelers simply rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic or will their huge strikes truly quantity to something? Let’s go position-by-position.
Quarterback
- In: Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard
- Out: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
The Steelers are the second crew in NFL historical past so as to add a Tremendous Bowl-winning quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) and lose one other (Russell Wilson) in the identical offseason (2023 Jets with Joe Flacco and Rodgers).
It took the Steelers 4 months into the offseason to lastly signal Rodgers, who was reportedly their third selection at quarterback after Matthew Stafford and Justin Fields. Speak about letting the air out of the balloon. The four-time MVP is extra proficient than Russell Wilson. However, he is additionally 41 years outdated, hasn’t had season in 4 years and comes with baggage.
You might undoubtedly argue this can be a lateral transfer however I am going to say it is marginal enchancment. Rodgers was one of many worst starters within the NFL final yr (thirty third in completion proportion over anticipated) however completed the season enjoying higher ball and has extra upside than Wilson.
Verdict: marginal enchancment
Operating again
- In: Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell
- Out: Najee Harris
Najee Harris’ departure is a case of addition by subtraction, even after 4 straight 1,000-yard speeding seasons to start his profession. He ranked third-worst within the NFL in explosive run charge (5.7% of rushes went for 12+ yards) amongst gamers with 200+ carries final season. Jaylen Warren and rookie third-round choose Kaleb Johnson can each add explosive performs the Steelers offense desperately wants. Johnson had an explosive run on 15.0% of his rushes final season, fifth-highest within the FBS (amongst 33 gamers with 200+ rushes).
Verdict: enchancment
Steelers’ Jonnu Smith will get candid on commerce from Dolphins, says Pittsburgh is ‘the place I am appreciated’
Brad Crawford
Vast receiver
The Steelers are the twelfth crew in NFL historical past to each add (DK Metcalf) and lose (George Pickens) a participant coming off a season with 900+ receiving yards in a single offseason. They had been flashy trades that seem like lateral strikes on paper as a result of each Metcalf and Pickens are two of the extra proficient receivers within the league, however each have some baggage and have but to place all of it collectively.
It is a marginal enchancment for the Steelers as a result of Metcalf extra carefully resembles A.J. Brown, who Arthur Smith had plenty of success with because the Titans offensive coordinator from 2019-20.
Verdict: marginal enchancment
Tight finish
- In: Jonnu Smith
- Out: Nobody notable
Jonnu Smith was fourth amongst all tight ends in yards per route run (1.96) final season (minimal 300 routes) behind George Kittle (2.65), Trey McBride (2.15) and Brock Bowers (2.02). The closest factor Aaron Rodgers has ever needed to a playmaker at tight finish was Jermichael Finley so that is an intriguing addition for the Steelers.
Verdict: Enchancment
Offensive line
- In: Nobody notable
- Out: Dan Moore, James Daniels, Nate Herbig
The Steelers misplaced two starters (Dan Moore, James Daniels) alongside a subpar offensive line and didn’t convey anybody on this offseason. This group has potential with two younger first-round picks at deal with (Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu) however not a lot within the type of expertise or depth to guard their 41-year outdated quarterback. It is a downgrade on the place when you think about the accidents they will most likely run into all through the course of the season.
Steelers Projected Beginning Offensive Line
Verdict: downgrade
Entrance seven
- In: Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer, Malik Harrison
- Out: Larry Ogunjobi, Preston Smith, Elandon Roberts
You may’t blame Pittsburgh for shaking up their entrance seven after permitting 299 rush yards in its loss to the Ravens final postseason. They drafted Derrick Harmon within the first spherical and Jack Sawyer within the fourth spherical whereas veterans Larry Ogunjobi, Preston Smith and Elandon Roberts left the crew. So long as T.J. Watt is not going wherever then the Steelers entrance seven might be higher, however who is aware of how a lot they’ll get from their rookies.
Verdict: Lateral transfer
Secondary
- In: Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Juan Thornhill, Brandin Echols
- Out: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Donte Jackson
The Steelers swap of Minkah Fitzpatrick for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith was the primary commerce in a minimum of the final twenty years the place a number of five-time Professional Bowlers had been traded for one another.
It is one other flashy transfer that provides Aaron Rodgers a weapon within the passing recreation, however what is going to it do within the secondary? It a minimum of provides the Steelers extra choices as Ramsey may play outdoors nook, slot nook or transition to enjoying security.
The unit is marginally improved with the Ramsey-Fitzpatrick swap as each are pushing previous their primes, as is free agent addition Darius Slay.
Nonetheless, Pittsburgh had cause to attempt one thing totally different. They have not gained a playoff recreation in almost 9 years, and the Steelers’ go protection has been completely shredded throughout their six-game playoff shedding streak. They’ve allowed 18 landing passes and intercepted only one go in these video games whereas opponents accomplished 70 % of their passes.
Steelers go protection throughout six-game playoff shedding streak
|
Comp pct |
70% |
|
Move yards per recreation |
263 |
|
Yards per try |
8.5 |
|
TD-INT |
18-1 |
Verdict: marginal enchancment
General, the Steelers made small enhancements throughout the board apart from the trenches. Nonetheless, all of the family names altering groups did not precisely transfer the needle. Pittsburgh has the eighth-best odds to win the AFC (20-1) and I’ve my doubts that this playoff win drought will finish with rather a lot using on the efficiency of Aaron Rodgers. Ultimately, it is plenty of namepower with out plenty of substance for me.
