The 2021 Steelers were smoke and mirrors

[feltdizz]

I think next season will probably be rough.

A lot of dead money pushed into the year. And while there is a fair amount of space, there are lots of open positions left too.

Hope we can rebuild quickly so we don't waste TJs prime.

Most people expected a losing season.

We found a way to make the playoffs.

Its time to find the next QB and clean up the books.

Excited to see where we go from here.

[steeler_george]

7 out of the last 8 games the Steelers didn’t score in the first half. That’s insane.

Stat of the year...

[WindyCitySteel]

Honestly I didnt expect alot coming into this year. I do give the FO credit for bringing back Juju, Alualu.. signing Witherspoon etc.

Strongly disagree - 2020 was their last best shot, they should have realized that and said goodbye to Ben and all the guys they signed to voidable years deals that will escalate to the 2022 cap in February. They had no shot at a Super Bowl this year and ended up costing themselves $25M vs. the cap for players who won't be here. Throw in Schobert's dead money after they cut him.

We'd have more cap space and a top ten pick right now but they foolishly splurged for mediocrity.

[T.Ferguson]

Thanks for the list.
For some to think we can play with the big boys with the Rudolph/Haskins competition winner makes no sense.

Also in that Lions game MR threw the ball like 60 times for like 270 yards lol. It's gonna be ugly next season no doubt.

[Ernie]

Strongly disagree - 2020 was their last best shot, they should have realized that and said goodbye to Ben and all the guys they signed to voidable years deals that will escalate to the 2022 cap in February. They had no shot at a Super Bowl this year and ended up costing themselves $25M vs. the cap for players who won't be here.

We'd have more cap space and a top ten pick right now.

What are you "Strongly disagreeing" with exactly? If you read any of my posts you'll see that I believe Ben's extension prior to 2019 was a terrible move... and that I wasnt expecting much this year. Signing Juju Tyson A, and Witherspoon was an attempt to keep us competitive... with minimal risk. I'll never root for us "Tanking a season".

[steeler_george]

I think it's this simple.

The Inept Offense was half the reason the Defense wasn't Great.
YES the Defense needs a lot of help but the Offense constantly put the pressure on them early to HOLD.

The OFFENSE'S issues start at the OLINE - the Failure to Run Block.
The 2nd issue was the Steelers had 1 WR who could get open and make catches uncontested.

The DEFENSE has it's CORE to build off - the Offense does NOT.

I think it starts with finding a CENTER and building outward from there.

We are thinking the same, it is not that complicated. We need to solidify the D, by resigning and adding the complementing pieces. Then get the best center in FA and rebuild the OL with focus on running. I am thinking WR crew needs to be blown up as well.

We are not that far, I think way ahead of the Browns and Ravens.

[Ernie]

We are thinking the same, it is not that complicated. We need to solidify the D, by resigning and adding the complementing pieces. Then get the best center in FA and rebuild the OL with focus on running. I am thinking WR crew needs to be blown up as well.

We are not that far, I think way ahead of the Browns and Ravens.

We arent ahead of the Ravens.. Ravens have the number 1 run defense in the league.. and have a young franchise QB.
The Browns is debatable.

[steeler_george]

Maybe because it just ended and it’s still fresh in my brain but this 2021 Steelers team might be my least favorite group of all time. The inept offense and porous run defense was just downright depressing and unwatchable at times.

This team was horrid. Only great thing was Watt, Hayward, Mouth and Najee. The rest just was stale.

By far, the Mason led team of 2019 was my favorite team, more so than the killer Bs era. That defense was amazing. You could actually see the progress on that team, especially on offense, but kept on getting derailed because of injuries. It was a "team".

[WindyCitySteel]

We are not that far, I think way ahead of the Browns and Ravens.

This team was horrid. Only great thing was Watt, Hayward, Mouth and Najee. The rest just was stale.

So, which is it?

[steeler_george]

We arent ahead of the Ravens.. Ravens have the number 1 run defense in the league.. and have a young franchise QB.
The Browns is debatable.

I give them Lamar, but their skill position players suck, besides Andrews, they are far worse than ours. Their OL is worse or equal to that of ours. Their D is over rated. Their coach lost them about 4 games on bad coaching. They are 16 M in cap space but half their over rated D are FA.

Sad thing is I really think they are going to take all our players we want in this draft!

[crushedspirit]

Ravens were absolutely decimated with injuries all season, so to think Steelers are far ahead is wishful thinking. As for the Browns, ask Baker.

[WindyCitySteel]

I give them Lamar, but their skill position players suck, besides Andrews, they are far worse than ours.

JK Dobbins is a fantastic RB, and I'd take Brown and Bateman any two WRs we have.

[Ernie]

Ravens were absolutely decimated with injuries all season, so to think Steelers are far ahead is wishful thinking. As for the Browns, ask Baker.

Yep.. when healthy the Ravens are a top tier AFC team.

[WindyCitySteel]

I'd take the Browns roster over the Steelers in a heartbeat, too. The Steelers are on a remarkable streak of not finishing last in their division since 1988, that could be in jeopardy next year.

[Ernie]

I'd take the Browns roster over the Steelers in a heartbeat, too. The Steelers are on a remarkable streak of not finishing last in their division since 1988, that could be in jeopardy next year.

In all honesty.. it's likely to happen.