Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger has decided to return for the 2017 season, but he’s far from committing to the team beyond that. This has to be a major concern for a Steelers team that’s facing a major juggernaut in the form of the defending champion Patriots in the AFC. In reality, Pittsburgh’s window at contending for a Super Bowl will close the minute Big Ben decides to hang it up.
Much like the Saints, that’s a major problem considering Pittsburgh does not have an heir-apparent on the roster. Sure selecting Josh Dobbs in April’s draft gives the team another young arm to go with Landry Jones. But it would be foolish to believe either of them can take the baton from Roethlisberger and run with it.
Outside of the all-important quarterback position, there are also major issues here. Le’Veon Bell will play under the franchise tag in 2017 and there’s no signs of a long-term agreement between the two sides. As the face of Pittsburgh’s offense right now, Bell has put up an absurd 6,050 total yards in four NFL seasons. This is a situation the team needs to get settled if it wants to remain in contention over the long term.
Another issue is on defense, where general manager Kevin Colbert has struggled finding pass rushers through the draft. Here’s a team that has now selected three EDGE rushers in the first round over the past five years. A first-round pick back in 2013, Jarvis Jones is no longer with the team. Meanwhile, 2015 first-round pick Bud Dupree has recorded a combined 8.5 sacks in two seasons.
Pittsburgh better hope that former Wisconsin standout T.J. Watt lives up to his namesake. Selected in the first round back in April, the team is going to be asking a whole lot of him.
There’s really no one prepared to run away with the AFC North this upcoming season. And in reality, the Steelers are likely the favorites once again. That’s fine and dandy. Unfortunately, this is a team that has now taken a step back in comparison to the Patriots and Raiders of the world. That’s the harsh reality of the situation right now.