No team experienced more turnover to their roster in recent years than the Pittsburgh Steelers did going into the 2019 NFL season.
After losing plenty of star power on offense, things took a turn for the worst when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2. As a result, the Steelers were forced to compete the rest of the way with the inexperienced combination of Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges.
Regardless, head coach Mike Tomlin still managed to keep this team in control of their own playoff destiny down the stretch. Although they ultimately blew their chance to make the postseason, there are four major reasons for optimism in the 2020 NFL season.
1. A Competent Quarterback Away From Bonafide Playoff Contenders
There is no question that Pittsburgh likely would have secured a Wild Card spot had Roethlisberger been leading the offense rather than Rudolph and Hodges. If there is any silver lining to the disappointing end to the year, it is that this team got a taste of what life will be like once the veteran retires.
The 37-year-old signed a two-year extension to keep him around through 2021. However, the Steelers will need to start bringing in other prospects under center to develop behind Roethlisberger while they still can after it became evident that the current backups may not be cut out for the job.
2. TJ Watt Is The Real Deal
Watt enjoyed a breakout year in 2018 and somehow managed to top it by emerging as a front runner of Defensive Player of the Year honors with 55 tackles, 14.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles. his stellar performance turned the Steelers defense into one of the most formidable groups in the NFL after nearly carrying this team to the postseason.
Even if Watt does not win DPOY, fans can take solace in the fact that he is steadily following in his brother's footsteps as one of the NFL's premier defensive players.
3. Minkah Fitzpatrick Trade Worked Out
Despite struggling mightily following Roethlisberger's injury, Pittsburgh still made quite the investment by pulling the trigger on a blockbuster deal for former Miami Dolphins cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick. Although they caught plenty of flack for dealing away assets in a lost season, it quickly proved to be the right move as he established an integral role as part of this formidable defense.
Fitzpatrick finished the season with 69 tackles, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles en route to Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.
4. Only Way For JuJu Smith-Schuster To Go Is Up
Perhaps the biggest disappointment this season was wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster's inability to prove his status as a bonafide No. 1 wide-out in the passing game. While the lackluster play under center did not do him any favors, it became evident that Smith-Schuster was having some trouble dealing with the extra attention from opposing defenses after finishing the year with 42 receptions on 70 targets for 552 yards and just three touchdowns.
Fortunately, there is good reason to be optimistic about a potential resurgence with Roethlisberger coming back and some newfound motivation from a former boisterous teammate.
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