Steelers rookie hints at big changes to offense without Ben Roethlisberger
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense could be in for some major changes in 2022 with their legendary quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, no longer under center.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have a very different look once the 2022 season rolls around. That is primarily because their longtime quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, retired after the 2021 season, meaning that for the first time since 2003, the Steelers will open the season without “Big Ben” under center.
Whether free-agent acquisition Mitch Trubisky or first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett end up starting the season off as the team’s top quarterback remains to be seen. Regardless of who does end up starting, rookie wide receiver George Pickens believes that the Steelers offense will look much different without Roethlisberger at quarterback.
“It’s kind of like Georgia in some sense”, Pickens told reporters in regards to Pittsburgh’s offense after a rookie minicamp practice last week. “We always had a pro-style offense. Big Ben’s not here, so of course a lot of things are gonna change from the old Steelers, but I feel like we are progressing.”
What will the Pittsburgh Steelers offense look like without Ben Roethlisberger?
Pickens is stating the obvious here by saying the Steelers offense will look different without Roethlisberger on the field. The bigger question is what will those changes look like when the team takes the field for Week 1 of the 2022 season?
Pittsburgh still has a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball, with Pickens joining a group of playmakers such as Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Pat Freiermuth. Combine that with a solid offensive line, and the Steelers should be able to find success in moving the ball.
The issue could eventually be the quarterback of the offense. Trubisky has struggled for most his career, and he’s going to have to beat out Pickett for the starting job in training camp. But even if Pickett gets the job, he’s an unproven rookie who would have some big shoes to fill in Roethlisberger’s absence.
Both guys will have the tools to succeed, but it’s a matter of who ends up taking the reigns. If the starter ends up struggling, Pittsburgh could try to dial up a run-heavy scheme, but given how much pass-catching talent they have, that would be wasteful.
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Ultimately, it’s going to be up to Roethlisberger’s replacement to determine what Pittsburgh’s offense looks like. Given how there are some big question marks surrounding Trubisky and Pickett though, it may be wise for Steelers fans to temper their expectations, at least in the early stages of the 2022 NFL season.