3 biggest changes for Steelers entering a new era in 2022
![Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fstillcurtain-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F11921012-850x560-6182682610de2ae2d6101a7c08772284ad5504f8bc6cbf25a8bec081c193bf74.jpg)
The best player on Steelers’ offense is neither a QB nor a WR
The Steelers have been a pass-first offensive for over a decade. Largely due to the fact that the last time the best player on the offensive side of the ball was a running back would be Jerome Bettis nearly 20 years ago.
For the last 15-18 years Steelers fans have seen one of the best quarterbacks to play the game throw to some rather amazing wide receivers. There were times when Ben was the X-factor for Pittsburgh. Even when Le’Veon Bell was an All-Pro Antonio Brown was forcing himself into MVP discussions with possibly the best 6-year stretch of play from a receiver the NFL has seen or will ever see again.
The Steelers will have to change that as the post-Big Ben era starts. Najee is far and away the best player on the offense and while Diontae Johnson was able to turn 170+ targets into a pro-bowl reserve appearance he is nowhere near the level he would need to be in order to carry a relatively unproven quarterback to the level they would need to be in order to warrant 40-50 pass attempts a game.
With Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett as the options under center, the best course of action is to feed their possibly generational talent at running back behind an improving offensive line.