[ad_1]
With the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey, discuss of needing “a chat” with Ben Roethlisberger (about his contract) and numerous gamers from the Steelers 2020 roster set to hit free company, one should wonder if or not the window for Pittsburgh to contend for an additional Tremendous Bowl is closing smaller by the second.
Basic Supervisor Kevin Colbert is engaged on a year-to-year foundation presently with Head Coach Mike Tomlin working into the ultimate 12 months of his contract as properly.
With the Steelers doing the unbelievable, and opening their 2020 season 11-0, it felt as if it could lastly be their 12 months to hoist their seventh Lombardi Trophy. Nevertheless, a late-season collapse noticed them sputter towards the postseason, shedding 4 of their final 5 video games and getting bounced within the Wild Card sport.
Eyeing a variety of adjustments this offseason, together with a brand new offensive coordinator plus a brand new quarterbacks, offensive line, and tight ends coach, the winds of change are swirling within the Metal Metropolis. However does that imply their capacity to problem for a Tremendous Bowl trophy goes with it?
The Steelers’ Tremendous Bowl 56 odds opened at +3000. By comparability, the Chiefs are the favourite to win: their odds are listed as +550. The Buccaneers and Packers comply with after at +900 (source).
It’s a really tough thought with an AFC North division rife with excessive draft picks and former Heisman Trophy winners main every of the three opposing groups. But, the Steelers nonetheless confirmed that in 2020, with a 38-year-old Ben Roethlisberger, that they might sweep the Ravens and certain ought to’ve completed comparable with the Cleveland Browns, no less than throughout an everyday season finale that noticed a majority of backups play.
These backups, Mason Rudolph included, confirmed a number of poise for what lies on the highway forward. It was already assumed an growing old and banged-up offensive line can be a major focus for Pittsburgh this offseason. The retirements of Pouncey and tight finish Vance McDonald will assist to make a push, nevertheless, to signal some key free brokers that the crew probably couldn’t afford anyway.
Ought to the wage cap be larger than anticipated, and Roethlisberger rework his contract for some cap reduction, 2021 might nonetheless set the stage for the Steelers to be as aggressive as they’ve. JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Conner, Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton, and Cameron Sutton headline a category of to-be free brokers, of which if half or extra are in some way retained, the Steelers crew gained’t be altered an excessive amount of.
The truth is, for what they lose, they might truly enhance upon their shortcomings from final season with prudent free agent additions and lower-cost rookies coming aboard through the NFL Draft.
Which will appear to be loopy discuss, however the Steelers had been probably headed within the route of drafting offensive linemen anyway. Getting some cash on the books to convey again gamers corresponding to Hilton and/or Sutton would assist retain a powerful secondary, whereas shedding Dupree, all however a actuality for what his market demand needs to be, has Alex Highsmith ready within the wings.
Highsmith confirmed he’s greater than able to being a starter after a rookie season with a trial-by-fire expertise changing Dupree.
Devin Bush returns solidifying the Steelers protection which is already anchored by Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Even when Joe Haden had been to retire or be launched, that cap financial savings needs to be sufficient to slip Sutton into his place as a longer-term answer anyway.
That leaves the ability positions, the place the Steelers had been four-deep at large receiver and will climate the storm if Smith-Schuster left city. The operating again state of affairs is sticky, however it already was with Conner anyway – his accidents had piled up and left the Steelers alternative ways to exchange him over time. This offseason provides them a greater head begin on doing so going ahead than in-season.
In all, a complete makeover for the offensive line and a brand new look within the backfield could also be what the Steelers have to get their offense again on observe, whereas retaining as many items as doable on a world class protection ought to put them proper within the thick of the AFC hunt.
[ad_2]
Source link
