Strackbein Says: It’s back to the old and in with the new for the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter yet another part of their offseason as rookie minicamps are ending and summer training begins.
This year, though, it isn’t Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, kind of, or Le’Veon Bell’s contract, kind of, but a different group of players that are making headlines.
2018 brings excitement to a team destined for a Super Bowl. Yes, we all said the same thing last year, but now, it’s different. Instead of a team filling holes with subpar talent, just to have a player better than they did before, they went out and got starters. Instant impact guys who can take this roster from “should win,” to “will win.”
They still haven’t escaped their issues of the past, though. Morgan Burnett and Jon Bostic have solved much of their problems on defense, but not all of it. Bringing in Terrell Edmunds and Marcus Allen looked to be problematic until they actually touched the field.
Now, they’re problem-solvers. Rookies who will fill the last two remaining voids on this team. Bringing new light to a unit that was so close to being back to their prime. It’s not the perfect situation. But having a dynamic rookie like Edmunds play safety and inside linebacker, and Allen coming in as one of the hardest hitting rookies in the class, Pittsburgh now has a defense they can rely on. Actually rely on.
Not all of the Steelers’ old problems are gone, though. Ben Roethlisberger may not be contemplating retirement, but he’s certainly not accepting the people who are worried about it. Telling everyone you’re considering calling it a career isn’t saying don’t draft a quarterback. So, when your team does, it’s no one’s fault but your own that you’re racing father time.
Then, there’s Le’Veon Bell. For some reason, the most headlined player in Pittsburgh has escaped the minds of the public, and the team. The league’s best running back continues to look for a contract, but won’t get one.
Why? Because of his inability to stop talking. Not that he’s saying anything to obscure, but that he just won’t stop bringing it up. This is Pittsburgh, no one likes people who beg. But for the second year in a row, this team is dealing with one of the NFL’s most fascinating issues, and taking the same course of action to solve it.
Their goal is to not sign Bell and bring in yet another running back to play behind him. Jaylen Samuels isn’t taking anyone’s job except James Conner’s, but Pittsburgh will continue to draft a back and not sign Bell.
We couldn’t tell you why, but it’s their plan, and one they’re sticking to. Meaning Bell’s contract is staying up on the board for at least the next 12 months.
There are new problems, as well. Not as important, but equally as exciting for those who follow closely. A third-string quarterback competition isn’t making ESPN, but it’ll be all over the google page of Pittsburgh Steelers.
Landry Jones is fighting to keep his career alive, while Josh Dobbs is just looking to not be cut after one season. Neither are expected to see the field in 2018, but that doesn’t take away from the action they bring the fans this summer.
It’s because everyone is tired of talking about the big stuff. No one wants to hear about Le’Veon Bell and his contract until there is a paper signed and No. 26 is sticking around for the next five years. Or if he’s not.
Ben Roethlisberger complaining about his successor entering the door? Guess what, if he didn’t play games with the organization in the first place, this team would’ve waited. But three years is the perfect amount of time to turn a franchise quarterback into Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh wants an Aaron Rodgers.
None of it will go away, but new problems will certainly arise. This is Pittsburgh. Whether we want to admit it or not, they bring a lot of headlines to the media. Some old, some new, some involving players with as little impact on this team as possible.
Next: 5 Steelers who should be in the Hall of Fame
Either way, there’s news to be talked about. Old news. New news. Third-string quarterback news.