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3 New Year’s resolutions the Steelers must adhere to in 2022

By Brandon Kring

Dec 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) displays the ball after recovering a fumble by the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) displays the ball after recovering a fumble by the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Steelers, Anthony McFarland Jr. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports /

Steelers resolution #1: Revamping the offensive Line

It is no secret that the offensive line has been the biggest problem with the Steelers’ offense in both of the last two seasons. The group lost Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Ramon Foster, and Alejandro Villanueva in the last two seasons which signaled the end of a dominant run for the Steelers at the front five.

Pittsburgh anticipated starting Zach Banner and Chuks Okorafor at right and left tackle respectively while having free agent signing Trai Turner to man right guard with second-year Kevin Dotson playing left guard.

The team also drafted Kendrick Green in the third round to replace Pouncey. On paper, the line had some question marks but no one thought their season would turn out so poorly.

The run game has suffered mightily in each of the last two seasons finishing 32nd in 2020 and currently ranked 29th in the league this season. The Steelers have lost their traditional identity of running the football and being physical through much of this decade but the last two seasons have to be rock bottom with no way to go but up.

Pass blocking has not been the greatest, either, with Big Ben being sacked 35 times with still two games left to play. The result of this lackluster group has been a poor offense as a whole all season.

A good solution would be to move Kevin Dotson to the right guard spot and bump Kendrick Green to left guard while finding a veteran center or tackle and drafting whichever one you don’t sign in the first two rounds. Green may need to bulk up but he could be a better guard than he is a center.

All in all, the Steelers must improve the offensive line before they can even begin to think about who will be the quarterback. They must build a good unit to open up the run game and protect whoever is under center to either help a young QB thrive while learning the game or give a veteran acquisition what they need to be competitive.

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