The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that could make a lot of noise during the 2023 season. They are flying under the radar right now, but once the games start in a month, they could cement themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL.
A big reason that people are unsure of the Steelers is quarterback Kenny Pickett. The 2022 first-round pick out of Pittsburgh is someone that people are unsure will take that next step to elevate the team.
One person who is convinced that Pickett will get the job done is Sam Monson of PFF. One of the bold predictions that he has made for the Steelers in 2023 is that Pickett will throw for three times as many touchdowns in Year 2 as he did as a rookie.
Last season, Pickett threw only seven touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. While that paints a picture of a player who was negatively impacting his team on the field, that isn’t the case for the Pitt product. When the team needed a timely throw to be made, Pickett delivered.
“He had 18 big-time throws, which ranked 16th in the league despite fewer games than other passers. Pickett showed excellent poise, and the team improved his supporting cast in the offseason with additions along the offensive line and to the receiving corps, plus injured players coming back. Fourteen quarterbacks threw for more than 20 touchdowns last season, so Pickett tripling his rookie total is very attainable.”
The Steelers have surrounded Pickett with a strong group of skill position players to elevate his game. George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Allen Robinson are a strong wide receiver trio. Pat Freiermuth is a rising tight end in the league and Najee Harris is a very good running back.
But, for this unit to really take off, the offensive line has to really come together. Monsoon is predicting that will occur as well, as his second bold prediction is that the Steelers will have a top-10-rated unit in the trenches. Pittsburgh’s offensive line entered the 2022 season ranked 30th but made steady improvements all season and ultimately finished 12th.
“This year, with the additions of veteran guard Isaac Seumalo and rookie Broderick Jones at tackle, they climb into the top 10. They allowed 138 total pressures as a unit last year, ranking seventh in pass-blocking efficiency — their stronger area — but both Seumalo and Jones should help to upgrade the run game, as well, propelling the group up the rankings.”
If the offense takes off as Monson believes it will, the Steelers are going to dominate teams in 2023. With an excellent defense already in place, the PFF writer believes a trip back to the playoffs is in Pittsburgh’s future.
“The Steelers have a lot of talent across both sides of the ball and with any kind of significant improvement from Pickett should be challenging for the division lead and a wild-card spot at the end of the season.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin did arguably his best job as head coach of the Steelers in 2022, helping lead the team to a 9-8 record. This season, he and the team will reap the benefits, as they will be back in the postseason with a dangerous squad.
