2022 Steelers Season Thread

[HDGristle]

Let's use this thread to discuss the 2022 season in one place.

First season in a long time without Ben, should be interesting.

[HDGristle]

Pittsburgh Steelers 2022 Schedule

All times Eastern

Week 1, Sept. 11

Steelers at Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 2, Sept. 18

Patriots at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 3, Sept. 22

Steelers at Browns, 8:15 p.m., Amazon


Week 4, Oct. 2

Jets at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 5, Oct. 9

Steelers at Bills, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 6, Oct. 16

Buccaneers at Steelers, 1 p.m., Fox


Week 7, Oct. 23

Steelers at Dolphins, 8:20 p.m., NBC


Week 8, Oct. 30

Steelers at Eagles, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 9, Nov. 6

Bye


Week 10, Nov. 13

Saints at Steelers, 1 p.m., Fox


Week 11, Nov. 20

Bengals at Steelers, 8:20 p.m., NBC


Week 12, Nov. 28

Steelers at Colts, 8:15 p.m., ESPN


Week 13, Dec. 4

Steelers at Falcons, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 14, Dec. 11

Ravens at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 15, Dec. 18

Steelers at Panthers, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 16, Dec. 24

Raiders at Steelers, 8:15 p.m., NFLN


Week 17, Jan. 1

Steelers at Ravens, 1 p.m., CBS


Week 18, Jan. 7 or 8

Browns at Steelers, TBD

[chizzy]

if they make 500 this year, it will be a miracle.

everything starts with the offensive line and from what ive seen so far, it has to be one of the worst we have seen in a long time

[HDGristle]

Madden just said the same thing

[AmishGangster]

Originally Posted by chizzy

if they make 500 this year, it will be a miracle.

everything starts with the offensive line and from what ive seen so far, it has to be one of the worst we have seen in a long time

Agreed, hopefully they don’t put Pickett in too get slaughtered like so many 1st round QBs do and never recover from.

[HDGristle]

What are you expecting to see out in the final pre-season game?

[1pittsburgh]

I think they will be above .500

On paper, they've improved at WR, DL, ILB, and QB. I can't really think of any position where they've gotten worse. The offensive line is a question mark, but once Pickett gets in, hopefully soon, I think he can help by getting the ball out more quickly than Mitch does. Najee can also help them with YAC. He had a good rookie year, and the biggest improvements are usually seen from the first to second year.

My biggest concerns are are the o-line, and Devin Bush. Maybe the rookie ILB that they drafted late can work his way into the rotation. He's had a solid pre season, and he's a converted running back, so he should continue to improve as he learns more.

My other concern is the overall strength of the division and conference.

[Iceman]

9-8 record, Tomlin keeps his no losing seasons streak alive.

Best case is the o-line gels as the season goes on and doesn't get the QB or RB hurt early on.

I wish they would have been able to trade for Roquan Smith. People say his salary would be too much but it would be the same as Bush's if he had played like a #10 pick.

Besides, you'll be paying your QB's nothing (relatively speaking) for the next 4 years, so now is the time to pay other positions.

[Jacuzzme]

I’d put Pickett in as starter from day 1. The team needs a leader and he won’t get that experience riding the bench.

12-5 finish this season, make the playoffs and lose the divisional round.

[chizzy]

Originally Posted by Jacuzzme

I’d put Pickett in as starter from day 1. The team needs a leader and he won’t get that experience riding the bench.

12-5 finish this season, make the playoffs and lose the divisional round.

Wow that is really optimistic with the problems at o line. Hope ur right but I can't see it happening

[Jacuzzme]

Yeah, I’ll hide in a corner after they drop their first six games. I do think they should start Pickett tho. Even though he’s not really proven himself, the Steelers need a franchise QB. Clearly Ruldoph and Trubisky aren’t it.

[HDGristle]

Hopefully the injuries to Watt and Johnson aren't significant. I know Highsmith is still knicked up

[Smarty1]

I haven’t seen any improvement in either the offensive line nor the run defense, both of which were major weaknesses last season. I’m not sure this team will get to .500, and I could see as bad as 6-11. I like Pickett and think it’s a nice story, but he had one really good year in college. I hope I’m wrong but I don’t think he has the upside to be more than an average to above average starting QB, not an elite franchise QB. Put it this way, would everyone be this excited if they drafted a guy with one good season from say Nebraska instead of Pitt?

Of course a year or two of suck may not be a bad thing. It’s tough to get elite level tackles or cornerbacks in the back half of the first round of the draft. A couple years of suck might mean a top level left tackle and an elite shut down corner. That would change the outlook immensely.

[HDGristle]

Najee has confirmed that he had a lisfranc sprain. Thinks he'll be ready to go for the season opener

[HDGristle]

Bengals up first. What are you expecting to see on Sunday?