2019 Record - 8-8-0
Head Coach - Mike Tomlin
New Players in 2020 - Chris Wormley (DL), Derek Watt (RB), Eric Ebron (TE), Saeed Blacknail (WR), Stefen Wisniewski (OL)
Players opting out for 2020 season (COVID-19) - None
OFFENSE - Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is looking to return this season from elbow surgery after playing in just two games last season. If he is ready to go, he is the starter. The backup could be Mason Rudolph, who got the bulk of the work last year, passing for 1,765 yards with 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Others listed on the roster in camp have included Duck Hodges, J.T. Barrett and Paxton Lynch.
Running back James Conner is recovered from COVID-19 and announced he is ready to carry the load for Pittsburgh this season after leading the team in rushing in 2019 with 464 yards (4.0 ypc average) with four touchdowns. Benny Snell, Jr. had 426 yards on the ground (3.9 ypc) with two touchdowns. Rookie Anthony McFarland, Jr. (Maryland) is another option.
The wide receivers feature James Washington (44 receptions for 735 yards and three TD), JuJu Smith-Schuster (42, 552, three TD), Diontae Johnson (59, 680, five TD) and rookie Chase Claypool (Notre Dame). The tight ends are Eric Ebron (31, 375, three TD with Indianapolis) and Vance McDonald, who had 38 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns.
DEFENSE - Cameron Hayward (nine QB sacks), Stephon Tuitt (3 1/2 sacks) and Tyson Alualu are the men up front for the Steelers. Chris Wormley comes over from Baltimore and will be on the D-line as well.
The linebackers include Vince Williams and Devin Bush (one sack and two interceptions) on the inside with Bud Dupree (11 1/2 sacks) and T.J. Watt (14 1/2 sacks and two interceptions) on the outside. Rookie Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) will look to contribute as well.
In the secondary are safeties Terrell Edmunds and Minkah Fitzpatrick (five picks) while Steven Nelson and Joe Haden (five INT) man the corner spots. Adding depth are Justin Layne, Cameron Sutton, Jordan Dangerfield and Marcus Allen.
The Steelers defense was fifth in the NFL last season, giving up 304 yards per game. The pass defense was third in the league while allowing 195 yards per game and also had 20 interceptions, which was second in the league. The run defense gave up 109 yards per game (14th) and Pittsburgh gave up 18.9 points per game while getting a league best 54 quarterback sacks.
OUTLOOK FOR 2020 - The big question for the Steelers this year is the health of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
If he is ready to go and plays like he has in the past, the offense will be much improved after averaging a paltry 18.1 points per game last year. The running game was pretty much non existent in 2019, finishing 29th in the NFL while gaining just 90 yards per game. The passing game was worse, finishing 31st in the league with just 187 yards per game. Pittsburgh ranked 30th overall in total offense, getting 277 yards per game.
The defense will be the strength of the team while the offense will try and catch up to get this team back to being a playoff contender. The Steelers have missed the post-season the last two seasons and Head Coach Mike Tomlin knows that doesn't get it done. Not to mention the Baltimore Ravens loom large in the AFC North division after a huge 2019 regular season.
Can the Steelers get back to the playoffs?
It's possible, but the running game must be much better along with Roethlisberger showing he still has it as the starting quarterback.
Stay tuned because it should be an interesting season for this team.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at N.Y. Giants
Week Two - vs. Denver
Week Three - vs. Houston
Week Four - at Tennessee
Week Five - vs. Philadelphia
Week Six - vs. Cleveland
Week Seven - at Baltimore
Week Eight - BYE
Week Nine - at Dallas
Week Ten - vs. Cincinnati
Week Eleven - at Jacksonville
Week Twelve - vs. Baltimore
Week Thirteen - vs. Washington
Week Fourteen - at Buffalo
Week Fifteen - at Cincinnati
Week Sixteen - vs. Indianapolis
Week Seventeen - at Cleveland
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