Every year at this time, football fans start getting amped up for the upcoming NFL season. All of us have gone roughly half a year without any meaningful football action, and we start counting down the days until the new season kicks off. For Pittsburgh Steelers fans, it's hard not to be excited after everything we have seen from this team in the preseason.
More often than not, the flashes that teams show sometimes during exhibition action don't live up to the hype when the regular season rolls around. This time, it might be different. Here are five legitimate reasons to get excited for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023.
5. Steelers should be more explosive on offense
Last year, fans were hoping a stagnant offense from 2021 would take a step up with a first-round quarterback at the helm. Many believed that Matt Canada was simply waiting until he found the right QB to unleash his playbook. Sadly, this wasn't the case. Last year, the Steelers averaged a dismal 18.1 points per game and lacked both explosive plays and yards after the catch.
While Canada is still the OC in Pittsburgh this year, there are plenty of reasons to believe this offense will be more explosive in 2023. A new and improved Pickett could help march his team down the field and added weapons will be at his disposal.
Calvin Austin III is one of them. Austin has been electrifying this summer with a 67-yard touchdown reception in the preseason and a number of explosive plays at training camp. Additionally, second-year RB Jaylen Warren showcased the ability to take it to the house thanks to his speed, vision, and burst.
With Pickett expected to take more control of the offense as he earns the trust of his coaching staff, we could see more aggressive plays and throws over the middle of the field. I'm not about to say that the sky is the limit for the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in 2023, but it should take a significant step forward.