Proper earlier than touchdown Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers had a roster primed for a franchise quarterback. They might be there once more, or shut. No less than that’s how Mike DeFabo sees the Steelers popping out of the 2025 NFL Draft, even with out George Pickens. After all, they don’t have their franchise quarterback, however what of their roster?
“I type of have a look at the Steelers proper now, in the event that they play their playing cards accurately, they may type of be just like the early 2000s Steelers earlier than they acquired Ben Roethlisberger,” DeFabo stated, by way of the Cleveland Browns’ YouTube channel. “You had an excellent protection. You had a superb offensive line. You had Jerome Bettis and a dependable working recreation.
“They had been adequate the place you had been pondering, ‘Yeah, perhaps this may very well be a playoff crew. In all probability not a respectable contender’, after which they get the quarterback, and that helps vault them into that dialog as a real contender,” he continued, evaluating these Steelers to 20-plus years in the past. “The quarterback finally finally ends up elevating the remainder of the crew. I don’t know that they’re fairly there, however they’re type of shut.”
DeFabo argued that the Steelers’ roster doesn’t actually have many holes popping out of the draft. By and huge, they addressed their wants, besides at quarterback and working again. Will Howard is a pleasant developmental prospect, however will not be more likely to win a Tremendous Bowl.
The huge receiver room clearly appears worse with out George Pickens, however there’s a rub. In parting firm, the Steelers netted a 2026 third-round choose, which may assist land them their subsequent Ben Roethlisberger. No less than that’s the plan, whether or not it really works or not.
After all, the Steelers even have a roster that’s growing older shortly in some areas. DeFabo discovered himself questioning aloud if 2024 was Cameron Heyward’s final good yr, now 36 years previous. That’s the reason they drafted Derrick Harmon, later including Yahya Black. After which there’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, who not appears just like the modern-day Troy Polamalu.
On high of that, all we’re speaking about proper now are appearances, and objects within the draft’s rearview mirror are usually worse than they seem. In keeping with analysts, the Steelers hit a house run within the draft for 3 years in a row. However they’re nonetheless ready for the tangible outcomes.
The Steelers might not be “rebuilding,” however they’re functioning as if they’re. They’ve required a sequence of robust draft lessons however haven’t but turned the nook. It doesn’t assist that, in hindsight, their 2022 class continues to look worse and worse.
The query is whether or not they have constructed a sustainable basis upon which to mount a sail worthy of a flagship. The Steelers have been treading water too lengthy, like me on this aquatic metaphor. If solely they may escape their predicament as simply.
