Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Preview: One Of The Most Remarkably Well-Coached Teams In The NFL

The title says it all: The Steelers will be well-prepared every Sunday and play tough and physically. It may not be the best roster from top to bottom, but players will be put in proper roles to succeed, and you can expect younger players always to step up here. Kenny Pickett isn’t quite a high-end starter yet but is a quality one headed on improving. Omar Khan and the previous GM have done a fantastic job of establishing a core group of playmakers here. The O-Line limited this team to an extent last year, but they signed Isaac Seumalo and drafted Broderick Jones, who should help dramatically.
Pickett could very well take another step up this year, especially if the playcalling improves. This defense will again be one the best in the league. With T.J. Watt fully recovered and Minkah Fitzpatrick returning, they have two superstars to hang their hats on. Additionally, some excellent draft picks were made on the defensive side of the ball. Legendary Steelers’ son Joey Porter Jr. is now on the team, and they drafted multiple other underrated gems. Staying above 500 will be challenging in a highly competitive conference, but Mike Tomlin will be up for the challenge.

I watched all-22 footage on every team and reconciled it with advanced stats such as PFF. Based on film and stats, I develop grades for every position by using a formula that takes into account every player on the depth chart. Shout out to TFG for inspiring this kind of content. Please use code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

Grading scale: 20-100.

(+): The player is expected to improve.

Team Overview

Coaching Staff

Mike Tomlin is one of the few CEO-style head coaches who only oversees the defense. He has established one of the most demanding and competitive cultures in all sports. What he’s done to keep this team consistently competitive for so long is truly remarkable. As many know, Mike Tomlin has won at least 50% of the games in each season since he became Pittsburgh’s head coach. That is one of the most impressive feats still standing in football history. He’s a coach that significantly enhances the team’s floor and should be cherished by Steelers fans.
The media have rightfully criticized Matt Canada as of late for lacking innovation and creativity in his offense. Unlike half the league, he doesn’t use play-action and motion well. That’s a significant element of an offense’s success which is lacking here in Pittsburgh. Moreover, the passing concepts from Canada are very vanilla and predictable. You also don’t see much creativity or variety in the run game, so Najee Harris hasn’t had the most lavish production. He probably should’ve been fired, as he will only hold this offense back. However, he is at least competent, unlike Matt Patricia.
Teryl Austin is coming off his first year as the Steeler’s defensive play-caller. He has plenty of experience coaching defense and calling plays and, paired with Mike Tomlin, makes for terrific defensive coaching. No one hired him to be the head coach for one reason or another, but he could’ve easily been one. As a D-Coordinator, he’s had a lot of success and was a part of some incredible defenses in the past two decades. He runs an attacking 3-4 scheme that’s very man heavy. You see primarily single high defenses with press coverage where their personnel thrives. There are also a lot of five-man blitzes in this scheme, in addition to a lot of stunts. Similar to Todd Bowles’s defense, it’s unique, but it meshes very well with their player personnel.

Offense

Overall Offense – 77.5 (26th)

I wasn’t a fan of Kenny Pickett coming out, as he had prevailing issues that held him back and lacked the arm talent to become a top-ten QB. However, he surprised me last year and improved, leading to his success. Additionally, Pickett clearly has the clutch gene, as he had four fourth-quarter comebacks in 2022. His upside is limited, but he’s a very competent player and an excellent leader for the locker room. The weapons he has to throw to are fantastic. There’s no alpha Receiver here, but there’s a deep-core group of guys with unique skill sets. Diontae Johnson is the most talented player here and is a dynamic threat. George Pickens wasn’t hindered by off-field concerns and thrived as a rookie in Pittsburgh. He is easily one of the best-contested catch targets in the NFL. Pat Freiermuth is an intriguing athletic Tight End who impacts the passing and running game.
They brought in Allen Robinson to be a big-bodied Slot, but we could also see him on the outside. Although he’s had a rough stretch of football recently, he’s still an underrated player who should make a notable impact. Najee Harris hasn’t had the best run blocking, so his stats aren’t too good, but he’s undeniably an imposing back. He’s not only an outstanding athlete but is also very strong and physical. The O-Line isn’t great, but there are some pieces to feel good about here. Jones may offer little in year one, but with this coaching, you can expect him to be a star in no time. Kevin Dotson isn’t a listed starter, but I feel he will emerge as so by week one. He is just too good in pass-pro not to start. The offensive personnel is exceptional, but how far can this offense go with poor playcalling?

Defense

Overall Defense – 82.1 (7th)

Although some key players departed, and one of their best players is aging, I expect this defense to get right back to stellar play. As long as the core group of players is healthy, this isn’t a unit you’d want to see on Sunday. Minkah Fitzpatrick is one of the most impactful Safeties in football. He has the range to flourish as a true Free Safety and the run defense skills to help make a significant difference. You also see him man up against guys in the slot. He is the primary reason this secondary is what it has been for years. Patrick Peterson is coming off a terrific year, although he played in a completely different scheme last year. It’s not like he hasn’t succeeded in a press-man system before, but he isn’t the same athlete he was years ago. Nonetheless, he’ll at least be decent. Joey Porter Jr. is an exciting addition who’s a perfect scheme fit.
They did a fine job of replacing Terrell Edmunds by signing Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal. I expect both to rotate in and out of Strong Safety. The Linebacker room suffered several losses, but Cole Holcomb was an excellent signing. The depth is very worrisome, but it’ll be a good starting duo if they stay healthy. T.J. Watt is a fantastic cornerstone piece who’s a legitimate leader in the locker room. His impact as a pass rusher is up there with the very best. Furthermore, Alex Highsmith fits the scheme and culture very well. Cam Heyward is regressing but is still a dramatic difference-maker. Keeanu Benton is an excellent replacement plan for when he inevitably leaves. While not elite like it was years ago, it’s still a daunting defense to play against and will help Pittsburgh compete in a competitive conference.

Steelers Schedule

Total Win Projection – 7.8