NFL record predictions for the 2018 regular season
By Ian Cummings
Pittsburgh Steelers
It doesn’t take much for titans to fall.
The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers had a losing season, it was in 2003. They went 6-10. Tommy Maddox, who had won Comeback Player of the Year just a season before, threw for 3,414 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. It was clear that the veteran was past his peak, and so in 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted his replacement.
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Fast forward to 2018. After a long, fruitful career, Ben Roethlisberger’s consistency appears to have taken a hit, and the quarterback himself mulled over retirement after the 2017 season. He eventually chose to return, but that didn’t stop the Steelers from drafting Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph in Round 3.
The two situations aren’t entirely alike. But the writing seems to be on the wall. Big Ben isn’t in the shape he used to be in. And while he has vehemently denied that his time is fading, even going so far as to spite the Steelers’ choice of Rudolph, it is clear that he is entering the twilight of his career. Roethlisberger has always cocksure about his skills, and for a long time, he’s been able to back it up. But with the Steelers’ selection of Rudolph, even with Joshua Dobbs in the wings, it’s clear that they view quarterback as a fairly immediate need.
The addition of Rudolph can do one of two things: It can motivate Roethlisberger and help him find a new peak late in his career, like it did for Alex Smith in Kansas City last year. Or it can only put more pressure on Roethlisberger’s shoulders, forcing him into a shell on the field, and creating a toxic environment in the locker room. Judging by the way Roethlisberger has reacted, I’d put money on the latter.
Aside from quarterback, there are other questions to be addressed on the Steelers’ roster, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Skilled linebacker Ryan Shazier will, unfortunately, be out for the 2018 season while recovering from a severe neck injury. In his place, the Steelers have Jon Bostic, a depth piece for much of his career. Vince Williams is a player of the same caliber. The linebacking unit obviously wasn’t the same without Shazier, and that void will be tough to fill in 2018.
The questions on the defensive side of the ball extend to the secondary for the Steelers. Artie Burns is a gifted player, but his inconsistencies make him dangerous to rely on in a young, unpredictable secondary. He will be the No.1 cornerback, due to his talent, but he alone will not be able to account for the deficiencies behind him. Joe Haden provides a similar impact, but he’s older. He’s good, not great, and nearing 30 years old, with his injury history, Haden’s play quality could soon begin its inevitable decline.
There is value in having two decent starters at cornerback, and the Steelers have commodities there. They also have a defensive swiss army knife in Mike Hilton, who broke out onto the scene last year with solid play. But behind him, there are questions. Cameron Sutton will be under pressure to improve in his second season.
At safety, Morgan Burnett provides security, but the position is very much in turmoil behind him. Sean Davis has yet to acquire consistency after two years, and Terrell Edmunds, the team’s first-round pick in 2018, isn’t a very natural cover man. It will take time for him to fit into the role Pittsburgh will use him for. And if he’s thrown into the fire too early, it could be detrimental to his development. The team’s defensive line rotation is solid, but inconsistencies in the lower two levels may hurt the unit as a whole.
We know the Steelers’ offense has top-end talent in players like Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. But with growing uncertainty at quarterback, and a number of holes on the defense that could only get bigger as the season goes on, there’s a chance we could see a down season from Mike Tomlin’s group. These kinds of seasons often come without warning. And they always come with change.