Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Homestretch of the Preseason Edition

The Steelers are at the homestretch in determining their 2019 roster. The game in Carolina will help answer questions regarding the stiff competition for many key spots. BTSC anticipates big storylines and issues bold statements regarding each one of them. Let’s take a look and deem them as fact or fiction.

The Steelers are not going to add a significant TE to the roster this week.

Fact

While I agree that the Steelers needs to upgrade at the position, I’m not sure that the price is one they would be willing to pay. But don’t think for a minute that they don’t have a plan. With Chuks Okorafor as an option as an extra TE as a blocker and Jaylen Samuels who played there at times at NC State more like a H-Back, the team possibly has more unconventional solutions. It just might not be as easy to pigeonhole like what we want as fans.

Joshua Dobbs will get traded to the Colts for Eric Ebron or Jack Doyle.

Fiction

The Colts do need a quarterback to back up Jacoby Brissett. Dobbs could very well be that guy despite the showing on SNF against Tennessee. While the Colts have a heap of talent at TE, it’s not a straight-up situation. The Steelers will have to give up a whole lot more than just a backup QB. While this trade might work in Madden or Fantasy Football, it’s not realistic. If Dobbs gets dealt it’s for a very late pick.

The Steelers will keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-Man Roster.

Fiction

While there is absolutely no question that Ben Roethlisberger is set in ink, stone and metal at QB1, I’m 99% certain that Mason Rudolph is going to be named his primary backup. With a little more than half of the NFL going with only two signal-callers last year, it’s been bandied about that the Steelers follow that model. It would save a roster spot for somebody else in another position group. However, I just find it too risky of a proposition for the Steelers to actually depart with both Dobbs and Devlin Hodges.

Diontae Spencer deserves a spot on the roster.

Fact

The former star of the Canadian League has two rushes for 49 yards and two receptions for 19. However, he’s averaging 14.71 yards on seven punt returns and had a kickoff return of 35 yards. He’s a threat to break one every time.

Diontae Spencer earns a spot on the roster.

Fiction

The Steelers seem to be wanting to hang on to Eli Rogers. Rogers doesn’t have near the return excitability as Spencer. Not keeping the diminutive dynamo could be a mistake.

Benny Snell Jr. starts the season with an injury designation.

Fiction

Snell did not have the preseason that many expected and has been nursing an injury. In a way to circumvent or stretch the rules creatively, I could see a scenario where they pick Trey Edmunds back up and stash BSJ on an injured list. I’m not sure if they will do it though.

Will these statements identify more as, to quote Bill Murray as John Winger in Stripes, “That’s a fact...Jack!” or will they identify more with the Albert Camus quote “Fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth.”? What matters most is your opinions on the matter. Please state them in the comments below.