4 players who will make or break the Steelers 2021 season

Steelers IDL Stephon Tuitt

Tuitt had his best season as a pro in 2020 after missing much of 2019, and it helped the Steelers tie their best team sack total at 56. Even so, with the loss of Bud Dupree and several others on defense, he will need to step up even more in 2021. The combination of Cam Heyward and himself was dominant at times last year, but it was the first time Tuitt showed that level of play since being drafted.

If he can continue to build on his breakout season, then the defense will have a much better chance at repeating their success from the past few years. If he regresses to being just a good-not-great player, it could put a lot of pressure on players like Alex Highsmith, Quincy Roche, and the other young front-7 guys to pick up the slack.

Not only do I believe Tuitt can repeat his success from last season, but I am also expecting him to be even better. The defense needs him to be if they want to continue to be championship caliber with all of the losses they have had this offseason, and I trust him to take another step forward.