Zachary Engberg
2 min read • August 04, 2022
Posted in
2021 record: 9-7-1, lost Wild Card | FanDuel O/U win total: 7.5
Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are opening year one post-Ben Roethlisberger.
The two-time Lombardi hoister will be succeeded at QB by one of Mitchell Trubisky or rookie Kenny Pickett, or a mix of both, as Pittsburgh looks to notch its 19th consecutive winning season.
The offensive line protecting either Trubisky or Pickett will likely have an adjustment period as it returns only two starters but there are no immediate injury concerns for the group.
Pittsburgh lost embattled star receiver Juju Smith-Schuster, who missed most of last season after suffering a shoulder injury. Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson each come in with a clean bill of health after relatively disappointing seasons for both young wideouts.
The Steelers added to the receiving corps by drafting Georgia product George Pickens with the No. 52 pick in the Draft a little over a year after he suffered a torn ACL in March 2021.
The 21-year-old rookie will still have a learning curve with only four limited games under his belt since the injury, but he should be close to healthy as camp opens.
On the other side of the ball, Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt anchor the front-line once again after masterful seasons for both all-pro performers in 2021.
Former Bengals’ edge-rusher Larry Ogunjobi – who came over after failing a physical for a multi-year deal with Chicago – and veteran nose tackle Tyson Alualu are each returning from 2021 foot injuries.
Behind that group, the Steelers look to carry a clean bill of health for the projected top-end defense that includes Devin Bush, new addition Myles Jack, and ballhawk Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth endeared himself to veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2021, notching 60 receptions for 497 yards and ranking second with seven touchdowns and third with 79 targets.
Freiermuth will likely be treated with caution by the Steelers’ medical staff going forward, according to the Pro Football Docs, because each additional concussion he suffers exponentially increases the risk of brain damage and requires a longer absence.
Because his two concussions came virtually back-to-back, Pittsburgh may consider his next to be his second concussion, which generally needs a month-long absence.
The former 36th overall pick from the Jaguars signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Steelers this offseason.
Jack will start at right inside linebacker for Pittsburgh, but his right knee remains a legitimate concern.
Before he was drafted in 2016, Dr. David Chao detailed the concerns about the osteochondral defect in his right knee. Those concerns remain and the lack of bloodflow leaves him at risk for further cartilage damage.
Written by Zachary Engberg
