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5 biggest surprises of the Steelers during the 2021 season

By Ryan Pawloski

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 03: J.C. Hassenauer #60, Najee Harris #22 and Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on January 03, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 03: J.C. Hassenauer #60, Najee Harris #22 and Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on January 03, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Chris Wormley #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after sacking Lamar Jackson. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Chris Wormley, Defensive lineman

Chris Wormley might be one of the biggest shocks to emerge as one of the better players on this roster. Before this season, he was the fourth-best defensive lineman on this team. Injuries played a big factor in Wormely getting a huge promotion onto this defensive front.

Tyson Alualu was lost very early in the season and Stephon Tuitt was gone from the team entirely. Wormley was turned to and he never looked back. He was solid against the run and showed some quality flashes as a pass rusher. He totaled seven sacks this year in a breakout performance.

It was a huge output that no one was expecting. Losing both Alualu and Tuitt so early on this season could’ve completely decimated this front but Wormley stepped up and showed how much depth this unit has when healthy. If he can produce this in a limited role next year and continue to show his ability then he will get a huge payday.

He still has another year under contract with Pittsburgh in 2022 and for a bargain deal. He played his way into a bigger role next time around no matter who is healthy or not. It is crazy to think how this player was almost expendable this time last year and many wondered if he would even be brought back or replaced in the draft.

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