The Steelers season has had its fair share of lumps, but these players have risen to the occasion despite low expectations.
The Steelers season has seen its fair share of ups and downs, and while there are plenty of things to be disappointed about, there have also been some standouts who have helped win games. A lot of these names are expected, as no one is shocked when T.J. Watt or Minkah Fitzpatrick has a key play in a game.
The same can be said for the next tier of players. While no one would mistake Cameron Sutton or Alex Highsmith for elite players, both are expected to be key contributors (even if they have played their best professional seasons). This list isn’t for them either. Instead, this is for the backups that have risen up the ranks to be key contributors this year. No one is considering them for Pro Bowls or significant accolades, but these four Steelers players have been the unsung heroes of this season.
Steelers have seen another jump from Gentry
One of the least talked about impact players for this offense has been Zach Gentry. While Pat Freiermuth receives most of the acclaim at the tight end position, Gentry has quietly become a fixture in this offense. He regularly plays 40 percent of the offensive snaps (or more), and while he is far from a great receiving threat, he is a mauling run blocker.
No one is going to mistake him for a dynamic weapon, but having Gentry gives this offense flexibility. They can run or pass with him on the field, and he can be used in two tight-end sets. A free agent this offseason, the Steelers would be wise to ink him to a new deal. He isn’t a game-changer by any means, but Gentry is a valuable offensive piece that is worthy of receiving some praise.
Steelers have gotten the most out of Spillane
Robert Spillane is a name that doesn’t garner much praise out of Steelers nation. The former undrafted free agent was quite the underdog story, and he has already established himself as a key special teams player. His work on defense has always left a lot to be desired, as he plays with a lot of instinct but lacks the size and speed to be an impact player.
That said, the team clearly trusts him, and he has established himself as a starter during this final stretch of games. His play hasn’t been perfect, as his coverage is still an issue, but he is providing a dependable face to play at linebacker. The position as a whole has been a weak spot, and Spillane has arguably been the most consistent player of the group.
Devin Bush and Myles Jack, the initial starters of the group, have seen their respective roles shrink over the stretch in favor of Spillane and rookie Mark Robinson. This unit is a clear weak spot, but Spillane can be counted on as a known option. No, he isn’t flashy, and he can’t cover, but Spillane has become a fixture of this defense and deserves some praise.
Pierre has had a rebound year
I have had a soft spot for James Pierre ever since he made the roster out of training camp during COVID. That is quite a notable feat, as there was no preseason for Pierre to prove himself, yet the team still felt that he was good enough to warrant a roster spot. He quickly established himself on special teams and finally saw some defensive work in year two.
It was a mixed bag, but overall Pierre struggled to keep up with NFL talent at receiver. He retained his job on special teams, but his time on defense seemed to be over. Injuries this season forced him back onto the field, and he has played well. He is only averaging a quarterback rating of 57.5 when targeted and has established himself as the third-best cornerback on this roster.
Pierre isn’t going to be a top outside cornerback, but he has proven to be a fine starter when called upon. Assuming the team tenders him this offseason, I think you can go into the season with him in this same role. Ideally, the team invests in some cornerback help, but Pierre can be a steady starter and reserve which is a huge win considering how most viewed him after last year.
Warren has been a dynamic threat for the Steelers
There was very little fanfare for Jaylen Warren when the Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent. He showed up in the preseason though and quickly established himself as the second-best running back on this roster. He has maintained that role (when healthy) this season, and he has arguably been the most efficient running back on the roster.
Warren has established himself as a capable third down back. He is a fierce pass blocker and can be a threat to catch passes out of the backfield. He lacks elite speed, but his initial burst helps him hit holes hard and gain the yards given to him. While Najee Harris has gotten better as the season has progressed, Warren has consistently been a key offensive factor this year.
The team has, in turn, given Warren more opportunities to showcase his talent. Those have been well-earned, and he has continued to impress in a larger role. For an offense that has struggled to consistently move the ball, having a pair of talented running backs has been big. Warren has become a key contributor on offense and has helped this group consistently move the ball.
The Steelers season has seen its share of highs and lows, but these four players have quietly been critical players for the team. No, their names aren’t among the elite players on this roster, nor are they even in that second tier of player, but each of these players has become key players for this team in 2022.