The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that looks poised to make some major strides in the coming weeks. They are 3-2 despite some major issues on the field, namely their inability to consistently perform on the offensive side of the ball.
Their bye in Week 6 should give them a chance to dial things in on offense and get healthy. This is a group with a lot of talent that many believe is being held back by offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Some adjustments to the game plan and personnel groupings on the field should lead to improved results on the field.
Alas, if the defense keeps playing to the level in which they have through five weeks, the Steelers can hang with anyone. The crazy thing is, they haven’t really found their stride on that side of the ball yet either.
Pittsburgh has had to overcome the loss of star defensive tackle Cam Heyward, who injured his groin in Week 1 and is about halfway through his recovery. The run defense has suffered as a result as they rank 14th in PFF grade.
What has carried this unit has been another dominant pass rush. Despite not having Heyward collapsing the pocket from the interior, this group has gotten the job done. They are fourth in the NFL with a PFF grade of 78.2, buoyed by elite performances from edge defenders T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
The Steelers have received excellent support from edge defender Markus Golden, linebackers Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, who all have pass-rushing grades of 70+.
However, you can never have enough pass rushers, and Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report believes the Steelers could look to shore things up in that department. Watt badly injured his finger against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5 and isn’t expected to miss time, but adding insurance wouldn’t hurt.
Tansey has suggested Pittsburgh look into acquiring Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers to solidify an already strong pass-rushing group. A mid-round pick is mentioned as the asking price, but that seems like a pie-in-the-sky outcome for the Steelers.
Burns is going to potentially be the best player made available ahead of the deadline. Being on an expiring deal will lower the cost of acquiring him, but it is assumed whoever lands him would be looking to sign him to a long-term deal.
The Steelers likely wouldn’t fall into that group. After signing Highsmith to a lucrative long-term contract this offseason, Pittsburgh looks set with him and Watt on the edge. Burns would likely be a luxury addition rental, keeping them from offering as much as other teams in a potential bidding war.
