Are the Steelers truly prepared for a win-now approach in 2021?

The Steelers before and after issue at CB that could pitfall the defense

Without question, the strength of the Black & Gold in recent years has come from the defense. Performing at historical rates, the whole league witnessed that even with an average at best offense in 2019, they can still be the face of an eight-win season.

Currently, on a four-season streak of 50 sacks or more as a unit and being ranked second or better in takeaways the past two years, there’s not even a word that could describe their impact. However, all good things must come to an end, and now without key players such as EDGE Bud Dupree and CBs Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson entering 2021, worry is warranted in this specific area.

Advancing the narrative from the title, it was likely Pittsburgh’s ugliest mishandling so far of the year. Expecting Hilton and Sutton were set to be free agents and that a choice would likely be made between keeping either Joe Haden or Nelson, the outcome was the worst possible.

Becoming the most significant need on defense, Pittsburgh shook its hands with Oklahoma CB Tre Norwood in the seventh round. Knowing how deep the corner class was projected, the handling of it all remains disappointing. To clarify, it’s not a knock on Norwood, entering this league; however, while the AFC North increased its passing game division-wide, the Steelers got worse to defend it.

Justin Layne and James Pierre are no strangers to the roster and fans but have substantially increased their roles with a combined 144 snaps on defense. Granite, they are both young and making an argument for replacing possible talent with rookies seems hollow. The issue is the uncertainty of the position realizing what’s trying to be accomplished next year.