I recently wrote about how ESPN power rankings placed the Steelers 16th in their latest formula. Apparently, they are not the only ones who think the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be extremely underwhelming in 2019.
In a recent article from Pro Football Talk of NBC Sports, Peter King believes the Steelers are the 18th ranked team heading into the 2019 season. Here’s what he had to say:
"It’s going to be peaceful in Pittsburgh without the weekly (daily?) questions about Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. But with all the distractions and discord last year, the Steelers still averaged 26.8 points per game, and I’ll be surprised if they reach those heights this year. Steelers players might find it more placid coming to work and games this year with Antonio Brown 2,300 miles away, but how are they replacing Brown’s 115 catches a year over the last five seasons? With James Washington? Donte Moncrief? Doubt it. More likely, Pittsburgh turns to the man who cost them first, second and third-round picks on draft day, linebacker Devin Bush, and hopes he can be the sideline-to-sideline presence Ryan Shazier was until that fateful night in Cincinnati late in the 2017 season."
Peter King doesn’t even have the Steelers in the top half of teams in the league. Like ESPN and many others, King doesn’t believe the Steelers will be able to make up for the loss of All-Pro wide receiver, Antonio Brown. Brown, however, was becoming much more trouble than he was worth. In fact, I wrote an article for Steel City Underground early in January about why the Steelers needed to trade him.
In his stead, Pittsburgh has James Washington, Donte Moncrief, and rookie Diontae Johnson – none of which are anything close to household names. Ironically, the Steelers used their top pick acquired by the Raiders in the Brown trade to draft Johnson – a player who is very comparable to Brown from a height/weight/athletic standpoint.
Not all is bad for the Steelers though. Pittsburgh put a major overhaul on the inside linebacker position, and Devin Bush should be a significant upgrade over Jon Bostic. Likewise, Steven Nelson and Justin Layne were acquisitions that should help bolster a shaky secondary. In addition, young safeties Terrell Edmunds and Sean Davis should be another year improved this season.
Though Antonio Brown was fantastic for the Steelers, it is important to note that Ben Roethlisberger threw 10 interceptions his direction last season (and Josh Dobbs added another). Without Brown complaining for targets, perhaps the Steelers could cut down on their turnovers in 2019.
Peter King doesn’t know exactly how the 2019 season is going to play out for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps the players they brought in this offseason will outweigh the loss of Antonio Brown. However, it’s interesting to note that King isn’t the only one predicting a disappointing season for the Steelers.