3 things the Pittsburgh Steelers need to address in 2022

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 09: Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin reacts after Chase Claypool #11 caught the ball over defender Patrick Peterson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 9, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball as Devin Bush #55 of the Pittsburgh Steelers defends in the first quarter in the game at SoFi Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Pittsburgh Steelers must fix what ails the NFL’s worst run defense

Paraphrasing from former ESPN analyst and Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. If you don’t practice running, you don’t get a chance to practice against the run.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lacked commitment to the ground game for far too long. Even in 2021 with Najee Harris in the backfield, the club was roughly 37 percent running and 63 passing in terms of plays.

Now combine issues on defense at inside linebacker and the absence of defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu. Mike Tomlin’s club was dead last in the NFL in rushing defense and that has to change dramatically in 2020.

“We need to get back to stopping the run, first and foremost,” explained 2021 NFL sack leader T.J. Watt after the playoff loss to the Chiefs (via Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot). “And then, it all comes down to getting off the field, containing the quarterback, all the basic principles of being a great defense. We’ve just got to get back to it.”

Watt and defensive end Cameron Heyward were the club’s top performers on the front seven. It will be interesting to see how the front office addresses the front seven this offseason. And that includes former first-round linebacker Devin Bush.

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