The Steelers really dropped the ball in 2020. Here are three things they need to do this offseason.
As a Steelers fan and a sports fan in general, I just hated how Sunday night’s game unfolded. We all were shocked by the outcome, and it’s definitely was not expected. After so much hype and enthusiasm before the game started, the Steelers really wanted to prove to the haters that the 11-0 start was not a fluke. But after a poor stretch of games and a disastrous four-turnover first quarter in the playoffs, Pittsburgh literally and figuratively threw the game away and the Browns finally did what they’re supposed to do.
The problem with Pittsburgh is they have not been able to capitalize when it matters most. 17 years of frustration finally ended for the Cleveland Browns Organization as they now prepare for Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl Champions this Sunday. Pittsburgh has taken tougher losses in the playoffs over the years, but this may far be the worst of them all after being bet as the ultimate favorite, courtesy of The Action Network, since the Browns were missing starters for a second week in a row, and their Head Coach was quarantined in his basement with no interaction.
If this game was supposed to be the last for Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey, it was not what they wanted to go out on. Unless they both retire, I predict for next year they make a final run. But due to multiple injuries, can they last for one more season? After an 11-0 start that looked very promising but it took a collapse to end things prematurely, how can they not? The thing is that there must be changes, both the game-plan and coaching philosophies.
This will not happen overnight as there has been a five-year build of off-the-field issues that resulted in poor performance on-the-field. Remember we currently do have a playoff losing streak of our own, losing the last 3 consecutive tries dating back to the 2015 AFC Championship. The good news is that our Defense has been an improvement finishing 3rd in overall stats, but our Offense has flipped over from the past several seasons. The news was reported that three coaches, including offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, were not re-signed.
I’ve stated my opinions on what the Steelers need to change to get back to their winning ways starting in Week 13. Now 2020 has been a wild and unpredictable year, so with the issues that came about, we could let the performance slide, however, it can’t be an excuse on playtime because every team (and every sport) was affected all year and things changed on the fly and very suddenly. To mention as well, winning the division will be as tough as ever because the Ravens and Browns entered the playoffs from the season prior and Joe Burrow comes back from his knee injury. So what’s next for Pittsburgh heading into the offseason quicker than anticipated? Here are three things the Steelers must do this offseason:
Have a modern, but retro-style Offense
I have previously mentioned that I give no fault to James Conner, Benny Snell, or Anthony McFarland for doing their very best at the running back position. For what they’re given, they performed an efficient job, but as you watched how our offense progressed since the first game against the Giants, it slagged about every 4 weeks and it got worse before the Wild Card playoff loss.
It was not about speed, but going through the motions of the plays as they were called; it does backfire if the Defense plugs up the gaps. The run game was just not there, and it comes to light why passes were called so often because it was the only way to gain valuable yards. Now Pittsburgh tried the option offense scheme in the last regular-season matchup when Roethlisberger was absent and I thought they would execute it, it might have been in the game-plan but being down by 28 points in the first quarter, something drastic had to occur.
Ben will be in his final year of the previous contract extension so it may be time to think about the future and you have seen the success from other teams in the league as they reform their offense. We need to steer toward the flashy offenses that we’re becoming accustomed to, but still rely on the ground and pound when it is needed.
Make a big blockbuster move
Nothing will be made official until Super Bowl LV commences, but you may expect Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz looking for a place to go to. The Pittsburgh Steelers will hold the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and with quarterbacks such as Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields no doubt gone off the draft-board before the pick selection, we won’t get a caliber 1st round QB.
I know J.J. Watt may be looking for a new home as well (assuming the Texans give him the opportunity to seek a trade), having the 3rd piece of the Watt Trio in Pittsburgh would just be fantastic. Pittsburgh got gutsy last year giving up a first-round Pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick and has paid off, so the organization is willing to do what’s necessary, but will they pull it off this offseason?
As much as I respect the current players on the roster, if Pittsburgh wants to remain relevant as the Kings of the North, someone will be replaced – that goes for coaches too. Making a blockbuster move could ensure that the Steelers could be back on top again soon.
Steelers need to show more discipline
Coach Mike Tomlin has always had a philosophy of letting the players speak for themselves. He has always let them loose on how they should behave, and he doesn’t need to lecture them. Every player from the moment they sign their contract, they are held accountable for their actions whether that takes place on the field or not. Wins and losses are one thing and that is teachable, but their behavior is not, and it is on the players’ accord to change that considering their private life as well.
For the past few seasons, management had to handle the swings of Antonio Brown’s behavior, and no matter what the Steelers attempted to change, it didn’t result in anything good as he was released twice before signing with the Buccaneers. I do hope he’s going in the upward direction, and now we face another issue in JuJu Smith-Schuster, of all players. You can have the mindset of Deion Sanders and Terrell Owens, but you need to back it up or rethink before you do something. I am not superstitious, but dancing or taunting on midfield logos have done no good nor focusing more time on TikTok than on the football field. JuJu is still young and the last few losses may be a humility lesson that he will remember before the first snap of the new season.
‘One and done’ is not in the Steelers vocabulary and it is something we Pittsburgh fans alike aren’t used to seeing. To sum it all up for the season, the Steelers were appearing to be invincible after starting 11-0, but they let their foot off the gas against every team still in front of them and fell flat on their faces. Confidence can go sour real quick if you think winning was going to be automatic. The Steelers must make changes soon if they want to turn things around.