4 statistical categories Steelers must improve upon in 2021

Steelers completed air yards per pass completion

The Steelers had a good, albeit one-dimensional passing game in 2020. While Ben Roethlisberger had a successful statistical season, his play on the field was average at best. He became heavily reliant on quick and short passes with the hopes that the receivers would make a play after the catch. This resulted in the offense stalling down the stretch as defenses readied themselves for these quick passes and either swatted them at the line or prepared to tackle quickly after the catch.

Completed air yards per pass completion is just what it sounds like; it measures how far the ball traveled in the air before getting to the receiver. For reference, Super Bowl winner Tom Brady and runner-up Patrick Mahomes averaged 6.0 and 6.5 completed air yards per attempt respectfully. Roethlisberger on the other hand? He only averaged 4.6, evidence that his team became overly reliant on the short passing game.

Now, relying on the short pass isn’t an inherently bad thing. But only being able to throw it short resulted in this offense sputtering down the stretch. Roethlisberger doesn’t need to find the fountain of youth and start throwing bombs on every play but getting that number above five would at least be a good start.