Steelers Offseason Thoughts With The Truth
Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Offseason Plans – WHAT DO YOU DO? HOW DO YOU BUILD THIS TEAM?
The 2022 offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers is going to be a major one for the immediate and future success of the organization. With the retirement of future Hall of Fame QB Ben Roethlisberger, after 18 legendary seasons as a Steeler, the team is at a major crossroads this winter. There are many questions…Who will be the next franchise QB? What do you do with the rest of the roster that has superstars, but also glaring holes on both lines?
The Steelers would prefer to find the “next Ben” immediately, but is that the right move this year? The last time the Steelers had a Hall of Fame, legend QB retire in Terry Bradshaw, it took 21 years to find “THE GUY” again. Hopefully, it doesn’t take that long this time and it is a decision you CANNOT screw up or you risk setting the franchise back for years. At least, the Steelers have cap space for the first time in history, $31 million according to OverTheCap.com, and a near full cupboard of draft picks to start working.
Anyway, as I see it, there are two directions that the Steelers can go in building their roster this winter in order to be a successful team in 2022.
Option #1: Get The QB, Everything Else Takes Backseat
The first and most obvious choice is to get the next great quarterback, whether that comes from the trade market, free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft. There are many, many options available for the most important position this year. Some of the names include:
Trade Market: Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Deshaun Watson (Texans), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Derek Carr (Raiders)
Free Agents: Jameis Winston, Mitchell Trubisky, Tyrod Taylor, Jacoby Brissett (and many more)
2022 NFL Draft: Kenny Pickett (Pitt), Sam Howell (UNC), Malik Willis (Liberty), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Matt Corral (Ole Miss)
If the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin, and Kevin Colbert love any of these options (especially in the NFL Draft or Rodgers, Wilson, Watson), you do absolutely whatever it takes to get them. 2 1st round picks? 3?? Big long-term contract that eats the cap space? You just do it, because if not, good luck trying to beat Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and every other great quarterback in the AFC with your team fielding Mason Rudolph. GOOD LUCK!
If they are not in love with the quarterbacks, then there is Option 2.
Option #2: Fix Everything on Your Roster Except QB, Get The Guy in 2023 NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers have some MAJOR holes to fill on their roster this offseason, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. How many times did you see Kendrick Green snap a ball to the moon and whiffed on a block this year as well as watch Minkah Fitzpatrick tackle an untouched running back 30 yards down the field. These are foundational problems and job #1 for Kevin Colbert would be to fix the 26th ranked OL, according to Pro Football Focus, and that ranking was much too generous if you watched any Steelers snaps this season. The Steelers need help at all OL positions, and they can receive it in free agency and through the draft, including the 20th overall pick in the 1st round. The defensive line…same thing. Please get dudes who can stop the run; the second half of the season was absolutely embarrassing for a franchise that prides itself on The Steel Curtain, and stopping the run.
Kevin Colbert could use the $31 million and potentially more in cap space to rebuild the lines while getting contributors at LB, CB, WR, and fill out the roster with solid depth. A strong free agency, and draft class could give the Steelers one of the most stacked rosters in the NFL minus a quarterback. The fix would be to then get your QB in 2023 with an excellent roster around him and do all means possible to get him. (Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are potentially draft eligible in ’23.)
Well, there are the options for the Steelers to build their football team in 2022. QB first, then roster or roster, then QB. Kevin Colbert will be retiring as Steelers general manager after April’s NFL Draft, so this is his last chance to hit it big. Mr. Colbert, good luck and choose wisely.
Steelers Logo Credit: NFL