Although the 2022 season did not end the way we wanted it to end, the Steelers future is bright
To say that the 2022 season did not end the way we fans or the Steelers wanted it to end would be an understatement; however, with the way the season started, I was hoping for a merciful ending.
Through eight games, we were sitting at two wins, six losses, and frankly little hope that things would turn around to the point where we would at least be able to finish the season with a winning record. After finishing the season on a four-game winning streak, I think the future is bright.
The Steelers have several bright spots on the offensive side of the ball
Despite not making the playoffs, we have a lot to look forward to in 2023 and beyond on both sides of the ball, particularly on offense where we have several young and emerging players with whom to build a foundation.
Players such as Kenny Pickett, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth, just to name a few, are part of a group that not only grew as the season progressed but more importantly, grew together as the season progressed.
The offensive line played well down the stretch both individually and collectively. I don’t think that aspect of the game can be overstated or over-appreciated. The Steelers of the 1970s won four Super Bowls by having dominant units in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Let’s see what we have to look forward to on the defensive side of the ball.
The Steelers have building blocks on defense to propel the group in 2023 and beyond
Similar to what we witnessed on the offensive side of the ball, the defense initially was playing like a group that would end up being on the worst statistically in quite some time. We couldn’t stop the run, or the pass and we could not generate consistent pressure.
Once T.J. Watt, our All-Pro outside linebacker, came back from the injury sustained in week one, the defense simply played better. There are no two ways about it. Despite the presence of players like Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who was voted as our team MVP, the defense was just not the same without Watt.
Alex Highsmith had a great year, finishing in sixth place in sacks with fourteen and a half. Other players also contributed to our efforts as is usually the case, resulting in a group that finished thirteenth in overall defense. That is saying something considering where we started.
The defense was not perfect by any means, but as the season progressed, we played better. It seemed to me that we played with more confidence as we started winning games. I think that is exactly what we have come to expect from a Steelers defense.
Let’s see what else we have to look forward to in the years to come.
The Steelers coaching staff and front office kept the team together through a tough 2022 season
Make no mistake, the 2022 season was challenging for both players and coaches. After eight games, the Steelers were sitting at two wins and six losses. It was not completely out of the realm of possibility that we would end up with a losing record.
Fortunately, Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff were able to make the necessary adjustments on both sides of the ball to put us in a position to be in the playoff conversation. Had we taken care of business early in the season, meaning had we won even one more conference game, we would be talking about a playoff game rather than talking about the end of the 2022 season.
While there are areas upon which we need to improve on offense and on defense, considering we finished twenty-second in total offense and thirteenth in total defense, I think the fact that we have Tomlin as our Head Coach and have a front office with tons of experience bodes well for the 2023 season and beyond.
Don’t get me wrong, during the season when we were losing, I was honest in my assessment of what I thought Tomlin should do to turn things around. We will really never know what he did or said or didn’t do or didn’t say, but the reality is we finished the season on a high note.
There is no reason to think that won’t carry over in 2023 and translate into yet another winning season, one that we all hope will result in our hoisting another Lombardi Trophy.