NFL Power Rankings 2019: Post-mandatory minicamp edition

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (13)

The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in store for a much better season in 2019 than in 2018 — or at the very least, a much more cohesive one. This past year was all about drama for the Steel City as things started off with running back Le’Veon Bell’s extended contract dispute leading to a season-long holdout.

They also had problems, which they ignored, as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was publicly ripping the front office for drafting another quarterback. Their silence in the matter gave him the green light to continue his assault on everyone, not named Big Ben, as he called out wide receiver James Washington for missing a pass.

Eventually, Antonio Brown had enough as the wideout started to go after Roethlisberger and in the end, he was traded away. Of course, AB was starting to become a distraction, as was Bell who left for the Jets, so maybe it’s not a terrible thing to see both leave. They just have to hope that Roethlisberger doesn’t continue to think he’s bigger than the team and continue to alienate those around him.

While he’s still an elite quarterback, the fact is he needs his teammates to believe in him and want to work with him. Throwing them under the bus publicly doesn’t help in that regard and could be a problem if the coaching staff or front office doesn’t put a stop to it.