Steelers preview: Are stars aligned for a Super Bowl run?
Training camps are still in the distance, but USA TODAY Sports has provided five things you need to know about every team in the NFL to catch you up on the offseason. Today, we conclude with the Pittsburgh Steelers ...
1. Big Ben is back, but is this his last go-around?
Well, maybe. The 35-year-old quarterback has gone on the record saying that he’s looking at his career on a year-by-year basis — which doesn’t mean 2017 is his last in the NFL, but doesn’t mean that it isn’t, either (he is signed through 2019). The team drafted former Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the fourth round to go with backup Landry Jones. Roethlisberger, a famously tough quarterback, played complete seasons in 2013 and 2014 but has missed six games over the last two. He’s still playing well, too, turning in his third consecutive Pro Bowl season last year, but now that he’s opened that door of having to consider his options after each season, it will be worth watching how he holds up in his 14th NFL campaign.
2. Bryant is back in the fold
The Steelers had one of the most dynamic offenses in 2016, and that was without 2014 fourth-round pick Martavis Bryant. The wideout missed the season on suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Now he's getting back into the fold after his conditional reinstatement. In 21 career games, he has averaged 17.3 yards per catch and hauled in 14 touchdowns as one of Roethlisberger’s top downfield threats.
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3. Watt is looking to be Harrison's successor
Forget his more famous older brother J.J. - T.J. Watt was taken in the first round to bring pass-rushing ability to the Steelers linebacking corps and emulate a younger version of teammate James Harrison, 39. Pittsburgh is famous for pass-rushing outside linebackers, but it hasn’t had a player turn in double-digit sacks from that position since Harrison recorded 10 1/2 and LaMarr Woodley had 10 in 2010. Harrison led the team in sacks last year with five.
4. The offense will run through Brown and Bell once again
In an ever-changing marketplace where a rising salary cap often renders contracts obsolete at the signing of the next one, Antonio Brown surpassed AFC North division rival A.J. Green as the league’s highest-paid wide receiver on an annual basis. Brown’s $68million extension gives him an annual per-year value of $17 million — highest in the league at his position. At running back, the Steelers used the exclusive franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell, guaranteeing him $12.12 million this season — easily the most among NFL running backs. Expect them to earn it again. The pair combined for 553 touches (including the postseason) last season.
5. Rooney will be sorely missed
For the first time since 1975, the Steelers will enter a season without Dan Rooney, who died in April at 84. Since taking control of day-to-day operations from his father and team founder Art in 1975, Rooney oversaw six Super Bowl championships and eight AFC titles. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000, he is credited with instituting the Rooney Rule, which guarantees at least one minority candidate will be interviewed by each NFL club for vacant head coaching and general manager vacancies.
Owczarski also writes for the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
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