Pittsburgh Steelers: Schedule, record prediction, X-factors for 2021 NFL season
Many new faces will play into how the Pittsburgh Steelers fare in the 2021 NFL season but what can we expect from this team?
The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t the same team — or at least don’t have the same roster — as fans are used to after this offseason. It almost looks as if the changes are insurmountable.
A once-dominant offensive line is all but unrecognizable and the defense lost some key pieces as well on multiple levels. Furthering the issue was the Steelers’ struggle with the shrinking salary cap, which put the franchise in a serious bind in trying to fill any voids on the roster.
If that wasn’t enough to be concerned about, the AFC North has been reinvigorated and is among the best divisions in the NFL. The Browns have been on the upswing and now are mentioned among contenders, the Bengals may have their franchise quarterback and the Ravens have the possibly-impossible-to-solve Lamar Jackson and a well-built roster.
Is it possible that dark times are on the horizon for the proud Pittsburgh Steelers? We’re breaking down the team’s offseason and then previewing the 2021 NFL season in the Steel City.
Can the Pittsburgh Steelers overcome their 2021 offseason losses, massive changes?
In an offseason fraught with changes, the first domino to fall was stalwart center Maurkice Pouncey announcing his retirement. The Steelers eventually drafted his likely replacement in Kendrick Green with a third-round pick but losing an on-field warrior will be hard to contend with for the Pittsburgh offensive line. Again, though, that was just the first major change.
Also on the offensive line, the Steelers saw Matt Feiler leave for the Chargers in free agency. Zach Banner returns and will take up the spot at right tackle when he gets healthy while Dan Moore Jr. steps up at left tackle and Chukwuma Okorafor slides to the right. After that, the Steelers are also replacing a veteran guard after releasing David DeCastro, signing Trai Turner after a couple of down years to come into that role.
On the other side of the ball, the Steelers had no hope of retaining Bud Dupree, who was T.J. Watt’s partner in rushing off the edge, as he signed a monster deal with the Titans after tearing his ACL last season. That will push young Alex Highsmith into a bigger role with veteran newcomer Melvin Ingram III rotating in as well.
If that wasn’t enough for the defense, the Bengals also landed slot cornerback Mike Hilton, who was a key piece in the secondary. For the cherry on top, defensive end Stephon Tuitt will begin the year on Injured Reserve, leaving the Steelers defense in a tough spot.