Offensive line will be key to Steelers success in 2021

The Steelers will have to rely on our offensive line in order for the 2021 season to be successful.

As the beginning of the 2021 NFL season approaches, I think it’s time to reflect on what it will take for the Steelers to have a successful 2021 season. While many factors come into play with respect to determining whether or not a season will be successful, in my opinion, the most important factor is the performance of the offensive line.

This is of paramount importance is the health of Ben Roethlisberger, our franchise and future Hall of Fame QB.  As ‘Big Ben’ goes, the offense goes, and as the offense goes, the defense goes. As both of those units go, the season will either be successful, which means the Steelers will be hoisting another Lombardi Trophy in what may be a curtain call for ‘Big Ben’ or the season will be a failure (e.g. no playoffs or an early exit from the playoffs similar to what we experienced in 2020).

Obviously, we all are hoping for the former and would be disappointed, to say the least, with the latter. However, the reality is both scenarios are possible, but which one is more probable?  Honestly, I don’t know what to think at this point since we haven’t seen the offensive line in action yet so I suppose only time will tell.

I think one free agent signing that may have flown under the radar is that of B.J. Finney, who presumably will be our starting center this season.  Finney has the experience, has filled in for Pouncey when the need arose and has played well for us.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the relationship between a QB and his center is vitally important to every aspect of the offense.  The center calls out the protection and identifies the blitzer. If he makes the wrong call, the QB pays the price so I’m encouraged to know that Finney will most likely be the person snapping the ball to Roethlisberger.

Steelers offensive line must do its job to have a chance in 2021

Since 2004, Ben Roethlisberger has had numerous offensive line combinations; some were good, some were not so good.  I think the fact that we lost both our starting center, Maurkice Pouncey, to retirement and our starting left tackle, Alejandro Villanueva, to free agency places a tremendous burden on whatever o-line combination starts the season.

That burden may be amplified if the offensive line cannot protect ‘Big Ben’.  The fact that we drafted a running back in the first round signifies an attempt to return to what I would label as Steelers football.  It is my hope that Najee Harris, the aforementioned first-round pick, will be able to reinvigorate what was a feckless running game in 2020.

I think we can all agree that the more effective the running game is, the less Ben will be forced to throw the ball, which means the less susceptible he will be to taking sacks.  The more upright we can keep Roethlisberger this year, the better off we will be in the end because, as I stated earlier in the conversation, as ‘Big Ben’ goes, the team goes.

If you’re like me, I am cautiously optimistic that whatever offensive line combination the Steelers decide to trot out onto the field in 2021, they will become a group that will protect Ben Roethlisberger and will be positive contributors to our efforts that will culminate in a seventh Super Bowl championship.