Pittsburgh Steelers Fact or Fiction: Dotted, Blurred and Starting Line edition

There’s always so much to talk about when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the inquiries surrounding the black and gold are definitely ever-evolving, especially this week with the Steelers finally signed T.J. Watt to an extension and the team prepared for the 2021 opener in Buffalo. But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. BTSC tries to answer some of the poignant wonderings ahead of time. It seems like the musical selection that best fits this week’s Fact or Fiction could be from Midnight Oil.

Here’s a sample...

Out where the river broke

The bloodwood and the desert oak

Holden wrecks and boiling diesels

Steam in forty five degrees

The time has come

To say fair’s fair

To pay the rent

To pay our share

The time has come

A fact’s a fact

It belongs to them

Let’s give it back

How can we dance

When our earth is turning

How do we sleep

While our beds are burning

Are these lyrics really related here? Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to listen to some Australian 80s rock. But anyhow, there is surely a lot to wonder about. Take a look at some bold statements on this and more as we label them as fact or fiction.

Are we on point? Only time will tell.

---

It doesn’t matter if the story of T.J. Watt over-stepping his agents may have been Disney-fied for Steeler Nation consumption

Fact

It’s a story of legend now and even if it was orchestrated or given the Disney treatment, it absolutely does not matter. The report that T.J. Watt went against the wishes of his agents, marched into Art Rooney II’s office, blurted out that they had a deal and excused himself to go back to practice is refreshing. Did No. 90 really go against his agents and leave more money on the table or did they arrange the scenario so both sides win win in the court of public opinion. Who cares? Everybody’s happy. Sometimes we don’t need to know how the sauce is cooked, as long as it’s mouth-watering beyond belief.

---

Najee Harris will have very little impact behind an ineffective offensive line

Fiction

Even before the Pittsburgh Steelers were thinking about drafting a running back in the 2021 Draft, pundits called the very idea of it fruitless due to the deterioration of the offensive line. But still the team selected Najee Harris out of the University of Alabama and the rookie is full of promise to revive a dead-last rushing attack. However, there are still problems along the line consisting of injuries leading to two rookies starting Week One in Buffalo. Sure, this might hinder holes for Harris to escape through. But true talent and a smart scheme can still move the chains. The offense might have to rely on more passes to Najee to get him going if the line struggles to gel.

---

The Steelers streak of sacking the quarterback is in jeopardy this week

Fact

Keith Butler’s defense set the consecutive sack record at 70 last December with a Tyson Alualu tackle of Josh Allen behind the line of scrimmage. The mark now stands at 73, but it could very easily end in the very venue that it was set. With Mike Hilton gone, Stephon Tuitt on IR, Alex Highsmith questionable with a suspect groin and T.J. Watt only having a day or two of padded practice…sacks will not be a given for a team that has had a time share the last five years in the opposing backfield. Throw in the fact that Josh Allen has fantastic mobility, the sack train good derail in Buffalo.

---

Now that T.J. Watt’s deal is done, nobody is a bigger contract priority than Minkah Fitzpatrick

Fact

The sigh of relief that emanated all across Steeler Nation when T.J. Watt and the Steelers finally agreed on an extension may not last long. Because it is now Minkah Fitzpatrick’s turn to get a deal and don’t think for a second that the superstar safety hasn’t been paying attention. The presence of Watt is so integral to the success of the Pittsburgh defense, but No. 39 is equally as crucial to the cause. The Steelers have time to extend Minkah, but I can’t think of a bigger personnel priority for the Rooneys right now.

---

Matt Canada’s offensive fireworks might take some time to spark

Fact

There is so much excitement surrounding the Steelers new offensive coordinator Matt Canada and the promise of an explosive scoring attack. But with new personnel and a protective unit in a rebuild mode, it is going to take time to reach it’s potential. Even quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is nervous about the start of the season and expects growing pains. The Steelers have been sewing the seeds the past year by implementing nuggets of the new scheme. But still, teams can’t just flip a switch and expect immediate rays of light.

---

Check out the Fact or Fiction podcast to learn even more about these topics every single week and listen for more on the player below.