Why the Pittsburgh Steelers will exceed expectations in 2021

Something not seen in a very long time is happening to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2021 offseason. They have become underdogs for the upcoming season, and many of the national media are writing them off as a team that won't do much this year. The best reason why this is happening can be based on the Steelers’ late season collapse a year ago. But for those of us watching this team the past few months, you will have seen them make moves to directly correct their past issues.

I can confidently tell you this Pittsburgh Steelers team will exceed these low expectations placed on them by so many. I’ll even go as far to say they're a playoff team, but would need to get red hot and go on a run. Stranger things have happened, but I would be shocked if this group fell below the .500 record, mark like so many are trying to predict.

The biggest reason why the Steelers will be better in 2021 starts with the offense. A brand new offense, and a recommitment to running the football, should make every other player on the team better. Ben Roethlisberger will not have to throw the ball 50 times per game, opposition won't be able to so easily predict the plays, and the Steelers defense should get some time to rest when the offense can actually take some time off the clock via the ground game. All in all the Steelers will be a much more balanced team and will be more successful for it.

People love to trash the Steelers offensive line, but they’re making a ton of change to the group like so many people hoped they would do. At worst I'd call the offensive line an unknown with a lot of potential. But we do know the guys slated to start on the offensive line are hyper aggressive run blockers. The Steelers should be able to run the ball in 2021 and the change will be drastic.

Defensively the Steelers did lose some of it’s depth, but they are getting one of their best players back in Devin Bush. People are forgetting about this kid, but he was dominant before he tore his ACL in 2020. Let’s not forget the Steelers are quietly shopping around for defensive free agents, and I suspect the area’s lacking depth will be taken care of shortly. There is no need to panic about this defense which should once again be a Top 5 unit in the league.

Heck, even special teams will be better in 2021 with the addition of Pressley Harvin III, who would've been the NFL’s fifth best punter, in terms of average, based on his 2020 NCAA stats —which are 100% transferable.

Whenever someone tries to tell you the Pittsburgh Steelers are a team on the way down just remember they have committed to fixing their issues from last season. Let them talk all they want but the Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that on paper is better than what they were a year ago.

But what do you think? Do you believe the Steelers will be as bad as the national media is making them out to be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.