Mike Tomlin’s team doesn’t feel like a defending division champion given last year’s late collapse. It should be a competitive summer for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
By season’s end, this didn’t look like a 12-4 football team. The Pittsburgh Steelers won their first 11 games for the first time in franchise history. And then collapsed late in the year, as was the case in both 2018 and ’19.
It’s a new year for the reigning AFC North champions, who endured an offseason that saw plenty of departures and very few notable additions. Training camp is later this month and Mike Tomlin’s club will play four preseason games this year, starting on August 5 in Canton, Ohio, against the Dallas Cowboys. But the summer could be really interesting for these three players. And keep in mind that fighting for your job doesn’t mean you’re about to lose it.
3. QB Dwayne Haskins
It is a crowded quarterback room in regards to Mike Tomlin’s team. Veteran Ben Roethlisberger is back for his 18th season and comes off a year in which the final numbers looked good looked good but the stretch run was a struggle. Mason Rudolph has had his moments the last few seasons. And Josh Dobbs was back with the club a season ago after being dealt to Jacksonville in 2019.
And now enter the 15th overall pick in ’19 in the form of Ohio State product Dwayne Haskins. After less than two years with the Washington Football Team, he was released by the organization. The Steelers signed him to a futures contract earlier this year, making for an intriguing situation.
“We have four quarterbacks that have played in NFL games, three of them have started NFL games,” said general manager Kevin Colbert to Dan Sileo of the National Football Show (via Cale Berger of SteelersNow). “So when we have some strength at that position, it was really an easy decision for us. And Dwayne does strengthen the competition at that position.”
The fight for Haskins comes in the form of eliminating the numerous issues he had both on and off the field in D.C. It’s a second chance for a talented prospect. But it won’t be easy.
2. RB Jaylen Samuels
The lack of a running game has been a problem for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the better part of three seasons. In April, the club did something it hadn’t done since done since 2008 and chose a running back with their first-round draft choice.
There is a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding the addition of former University of Alabama standout Najee Harris. Of course, there is also plenty of concern when it comes to the Steelers’ refurbished offensive line – which will have a dramatically different look this fall.
That also could be the case when it comes to the backfield and the running back depth chart. James Conner was a third-round pick in 2017 and after four seasons in the Steel City left for free agency and joined the Cardinals. That leaves Harris, a pair of fourth-round picks in speedy Anthony McFarland (2020) and powerful Benny Snell Jr. (2019). There’s also 2021 free-agent pickup Kalen Ballage.
There’s also three-year pro Jaylen Samuels, a 2018 fifth-round pick from North Carolina State who was supposed to be a jack-of-all trades. But he’s failed to distinguish himself on offense in three seasons. Could be become a factor in new coordinator Matt Canada’s attack?
1. ILB Vince Williams
He’s been with the organization for eight years after being a sixth-round draft choice in 2013. Inside linebacker Vince Williams has been a steady performer for the team for the most part. He comes off a season in which he finished second on the Steelers, to go along with three sacks and two fumbles recoveries in 14 outings. He missed one game due to a knee injury and another after being placed on the COVID-19 list.
Inside linebacker was a turnstile for the team this past season. Devin Bush was lost for the year after five games and the club traded for Avery Williamson. Robert Spillane stepped into a starting role but would also eventually miss time, as would Cortez Allen. Pittsburgh’s run defense was suspect entering 2020 and Keith Butler’s unit had its issues in the area again.
The likelihood is that Williams – cut and re-signed by the franchise this offseason to aid the salary cap (via Spotrac) – isn’t going anywhere. He brings a lot to the table and is one of the team’s elder statesmen.
But the Steelers do have some intriguing young players at inside linebacker in Spillane and 2021 fourth-round draft choice Buddy Johnson – a thumper from Texas A&M who could help the run defense significantly. Could the Steelers look to get really young at these two inside spots? Or could Williams, a 14-game starter in 2020 – take on a different role?