The Steelers have low expectations, but their quality players could get some league recognition come award season.
The Steelers are entering the 2022 season with little expectations. That has become a common theme for the club over the past couple of years, and even more so now. The group is going into a new era with a bunch of new faces in leadership roles and other different personnel across the roster.
There seems to be little hope for the franchise according to most “experts” that cover the NFL. Many don’t see this group competing much in 2022, let alone making it to the playoffs. These predictions come despite Mike Tomlin never having a losing season.
It is going to be an uphill battle for this club, but they still have some really good players that will suit up for them on gamedays. Those talented players will boost this team to potentially get into a more contentious status than many think. Their efforts could get these individuals some accolades for their play after the year concludes.
Minkah Fitzpatrick could be an outside Defensive Player of the Year candidate
Minkah Fitzpatrick is coming off a solid performance in 2021, but it could have been better in some areas. He is entering a contract year with the Steelers and will likely be going all out for his next contract. The club will end up signing him to a huge deal, which he is well-deserving of receiving.
A contract year seems to bring the best out of a player and that should be the case for Fitzpatrick as well. He is a top safety in this league and he will continue to be one of the best as he looks for a new deal. If he can return to form in the case of causing more turnovers, he could be in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year — an award for which he was an outside candidate in both 2019 and 2020.