Only 22 days are left until the Steelers open their 2022 training camp. At which we will finally have answers to lingering off-season questions.
Will Kenny Pickett contend for the starting quarterback position? Can Mike Tomlin avoid his first losing season? Which rookies surprise fans? These are only a few from an exhaustive list. One question, in particular, will not have an answer until the end of the season; thus, most have glossed over it. The larger question is who is on the hot seat if the Steelers have a dismal 2022 season.
There are possibly three potential outcomes to the Steelers 2022 season. They can surprise everyone and actually win the Superbowl. Like the infamous movie “Any Given Sunday” anything can happen when players step on the field. So sure, the NFL could suspend Deshaun Watson indefinitely, Ja’Marr Chase could blow out his knee, and Lamarr Jackson could have another poor performance in 2022. Then Steelers could miraculously find themselves on top of the AFC North again, making a surprising postseason run.
They could have another mediocre season, slip into the playoffs, and get sent home in the wild-card round for the third straight season. A wild-card berth wouldn’t be the worst outcome; in some ways, it would be slightly more than expected.
The last outcome is the one most would expect and perhaps that most are bracing for and that they have a dismal 2022 season, possibly winning no more than five games. Face it; they no longer have Big Ben. While he showed his age in his final season, he still had the talent to save more games than they lost and helped salvage the season. Plus, they have perhaps one of the toughest NFL schedules based on 2021 performances.
The odds are they could have a dismal season. Who takes the grenade for the team if they do have a poor season?