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.
Kenny Pickett could be the Offensive Rookie of the Year if he starts for the Steelers
Kenny Pickett was the top selection by the Steelers during the 2022 NFL Draft. He is the new face of a different direction for the team after nearly two decades of Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. Mitch Trubisky is here to start for the club, but that starting spot is open for business.
The big news in free agency was the addition of Trubisky after he signed a fairly team-friendly deal to become the starter for this club. That thought was brought into question after the Steelers added Pickett in the first round to challenge for the starting gig. Mason Rudolph has become a near afterthought throughout all of this, even though coaches swear he will get a legit shot at winning the starting spot as well.
Pickett is older and was always thought of as the most NFL-ready out of any quarterback coming out of college. He had a terrific season during his farewell tour at the University of Pittsburgh. He has some parts of his game that are impressive and other things that could be concerning at the next level.
He will have some playing time this season, but the amount will depend on his ability to prove himself in camp and in other circumstances. Injuries happen and that could force Pickett into action at certain points, but he could very well become the top guy for this offense by beating out Trubisky. If he wins the starting spot and impresses this season then he could be in store for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
T.J. Watt could repeat as Defensive Player of the Year
T.J. Watt has constantly proven why he is heralded as one of the best players in the NFL since coming into the league. He finally got rewarded last year by receiving the defensive player of the year award after tying Michael Strahan’s record for most sacks in a season. It has been a very impressive career so far for Watt and he will continue to build a Hall of Fame resume.
Some might conjecture that Watt deserved to have won more than one defensive player of the year award at this point in his career. He is chasing history and will surpass his brother J.J. Watt at his current output as a player. He outworks everyone on the field and disrupts so much when he gets after opposing offenses.
There are now very high expectations for this player after the type of season he is coming off of. It was an NFL record and something that he will want to top. Getting his own record and not being tied with Strahan will be some kind of objective of his.
Watt is on record of only wanting to win the Super Bowl and that might seem a little far-fetched in 2022. He will give the Steelers their best chance as long as he is on the field healthy. Getting this award for the second year in a row shouldn’t be ruled out, especially with the immense talent that this player brings with him.
The Steelers have a new direction for the franchise but they still boast some quality players on their roster. Some of these individuals seem primed for a big year that could lead to some awards from the NFL following the 2022 season.