NFL power rankings: Which teams will have the best passing attack this season?
By Ryan Heckman
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
A quarterback’s second year starting is always an important one in their development, which is why the Pittsburgh Steelers went out and surrounded Kenny Pickett with even more talent than he had a year ago.
Pittsburgh signed veteran offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo while drafting Georgia’ Broderick Jones to give Pickett two fresh, talented guys up front to further protect him and aid in the Najee Harris-led run game.
In 2022, the Steelers finished 24th in passing, so a four-step jump is an improvement. Ideally, Pittsburgh will be a run-first team. The gritty, physical style of football is one that Pittsburgh has historically leaned on, and Harris is definitely a guy they can do that with. The blocking simply has to be better, though.
Pickett will be throwing to Diontae Johnson and George Pickens like he was last year. But the Steelers also added veteran Allen Robinson, and we’ll see how much he has left to offer after some up-and-down years the past couple of seasons.
Still having much to prove, Pickett will need to show he’s capable of being the Steelers’ franchise quarterback. An improvement in Year 2 is imperative.