What the Steelers should be playing for in lost season

With the Steelers playoff hopes crushed after the Ravens loss, here are four things the team needs to remain focused on for the 2022 season.

The loss to the Ravens was truly a season-ending one for the team. Even if the Steelers were to win out, they would be staring at a 9-8 record with little hope of making the playoffs. With postseason aspirations off the table, the team has to shift its focus. Winning every week will still be everyone’s goal, but the outlook for the season has shifted.

No, Pittsburgh isn’t going to roll over and allow the rest of the schedule to steam roll them. That doesn’t happen in the NFL, as players would never want to willingly lose. That said, winning and losing should no longer be the focus of this rebuilding team that is now out of the playoffs. Here are four things the Steelers need to focus on now that their season is over.

Who makes up the Steelers offensive line?

It has been a tale of two halves for the Steelers offensive line this season. The first half of the year featured a lot of growing pains and a lack of cohesiveness from the group. After the bye week, the line has played substantially better. That said, upgrades will still need to be made to this group.

While center and right guard are pretty secure, the other three positions are up in the air. I would say Kevin Dotson is the obvious choice as a player the team will try to upgrade from. Chukwuma Okorafor has been okay, but he has quite a cap hit next year and could be cut. Dan Moore has flashed as a run blocker but has been too hot and cold as a pass protector. Changes will be coming, and the three players aforementioned are playing for their future on this line.