Well, what a year! From firing coaches to moving to our third string quarterback and making the playoffs. The 2023 Steelers never failed to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Going into the week six bye, the Steelers were 3-2 with heavy defeats against San Francisco and Houston where the offense couldn’t match the firepower of Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers and the Texans led by rookie passer CJ Stroud. Much of the blame fell on third year offensive coordinator Matt Canada whose unit put out some lacklustre performances with sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett behind center.
The bright spark of that stretch being two stifling wins at home over divisional opponents in Cleveland and Baltimore where the defense capitalised on mistakes to turn the ball over.
During the next few weeks, Pittsburgh moved to 7-4. Close losses to Jacksonville and Cleveland meant that, after week 11’s 16-10 defeat to the Browns, Mike Tomlin fired Matt Canada and promoted running backs coach Eddie Faulkner to interim offensive coordinator. In the first game under Faulkner, the offense put out their best game in terms of yards this season so far, posting over 400 total yards for the first time this year.
Then, in a shocking defeat at home to the Arizona Cardinals, starter Kenny Pickett got injured and in came Mitch Trubisky. Over the next three games, he went 0-3 including a damaging loss to the Indianapolis Colts in which the Colts scored 30 unanswered points to leave the Steelers 7-7 ahead of a crucial three week run that would define their season.
Then, ahead of the rematch at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, Coach Tomlin announced that 2018 third round pick Mason Rudolph would take the reigns for the remainder of the season in order to try and ignite the struggling offense.
In the next three games, Rudolph went 3-0, securing a playoff place with thanks to a Tennessee Titans win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mason threw for 719 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions.
In an unanticipated playoff matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Rudolph and the TJ Watt-less Steelers were outmatched but the dominant AFC East champions and quarterback Josh Allen who threw for three touchdowns and rushed for one more. It wasn’t a game that anyone with connections to the Steelers expected to win but once the Bills went 14-0 up in the first quarter after two touchdown catches by tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox.
The Offseason
Going into next season, the Steelers will most likely prioritise finding a new offensive coordinator after the firing of Matt Canada. As of 23rd January, the only concrete link to the vacant position has been the story that former Arizona Cardinals head coach and USC offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has communicated with the team as well as LA Rams pass-game coordinator Zac Robinson (who has also been linked with the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders).
Another issue is the draft and what to do with the quarterback position with Kenny Pickett struggling for form and injuries and Rudolph being a free agent. The Steelers have many holes in the roster, especially at center, right tackle and throughout the defense. In NFL Network reporter Daniel Jeremiah’s and Bucky Brooks’ latest mock draft, he gives us Georgia tackle Amarius Mims who will team up on offense with fellow Bulldogs Broderick Jones, George Pickens and Darnell Washington.
Team MVPs
Offense- George Pickens
A tough award to give despite the well-reported offensive struggles. Pickens fought off competition from Jaylen Warren, Najee Harris and Isaac Seumalo. The former Georgia receiver caught 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns with an average of over 18 yards per catch. He proved to be a big play threat whilst also drawing coverages to his side of the field to open gaps for Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth and the Steelers running game.
Defense and Overall- TJ Watt
The most obvious award. With 19 sacks, TJ has arguably had a defensive player of the year-calibre season. With the emergence of Alex Highsmith, TJ finally has a long-term solution opposite him which will prove to be a double nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
Close runners-up include Highsmith and rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Special Teams- Chris Boswell
Despite All-Pro heroics by Special Teams captain Miles Killebrew, including a blocked punt at home against Baltimore; placekicker Chris Boswell took my award. 2023 was his most consistent year, only missing three kicks all year (he had a 45-yard kick wiped off due to a confusing offside call in their matchup against Jacksonville). In a strong kicking year, Boswell missed out on the pro bowl behind Baltimore’s Justin Tucker and Chiefs’ Harrison Butker.
Overall, it’s been a much better season for the 2023 Steelers than many expected after Week Six. There’s cause for optimism but a lot of overhaul is needed before the Pittsburgh Steelers are legitimate contenders.
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