The New Look Steelers Offense Is Going to Surprise the NFL
The New Look Steelers Offense Is Going to Surprise the NFL
In 2010 the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted wide receiver Antonio Brown out of Central Michigan University in the 6th round of the draft. Three years later, they drafted running back Le’Veon Bell out of Michigan State. Ever since then, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had one of the most dangerous offensive units in all the NFL, but something was always getting in their way. For a long time, NFL analysts believed it was the Steelers defense that was holding them back but in the past season, we learned that there was more behind the scenes than anyone knew.
Le’Veon Bell, the all-pro running back, was holding out for more money and a long-term deal, and as a result, he ended up sitting out the entire season. This became the only subject that anyone was talking about and ended up becoming a terrible off the field distraction. By the end of the season number one wide receiver, Antonio Brown was making a fuss and demanding a trade. When the season ended with the Steelers not making the playoffs it was time to face the offseason and the realization that the team was going to change, which it certainly did. Antonio Brown was traded to the Oakland Raiders on March 10th and just three days later Le’Veon Bell was signed by the New York Jets.
But who says that change is bad? During his season the NFL saw the emergence of young running back James Conner and the continuing growth of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. James Conner was drafted to be the number two running back behind Le’Veon Bell, but when Bell decided to sit out the whole season it was Conner’s turn to step up. I really don’t think anyone can say that he didn’t step up in a big way. Through the season on what was primarily a passing offense, Connor played a pivotal role in the offense running for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns. Along with the running game, he played a pivotal role in the passing game catching 55 passes for 497 yards. Conner made a name for himself in both the running and the passing game and ended up filling in the hole that Le’Veon Bell left behind masterfully. Young second-year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster showed a lot of promise in 2017 but 2018 was the year that JuJu showed the league what he can do. The young receiver out of USC caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2018. The biggest questions surrounding the Steelers this year is can JuJu step into the number one role and keep being productive without Antonio Brown and can the team comeback from losing their top two offensive weapons? I think a better question is what is there to come back from? The Steelers missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2013 and the locker room was more about drama than football. Clearly, something had to change. While losing their two best offensive weapons isn’t ideal it opens doors for the new blood to step up and change can bring about the team unity that was sorely missing last season. I believe the Steelers are going to come into this season with something to prove and with new young stars JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner leading the way, along with guys like James Washington and Vance McDonald, the new look Pittsburgh offense will surprise the rest of the NFL.
-By: Ryan Johnson